PepsiCo Pours €200 Million into Belgian Chip Factory

PepsiCo, the American food and beverage giant, announced a significant €200 million investment in its potato chip factory in Veurne, Belgium. This investment will expand the factory's production capacity to 115,000 tonnes of chips per year, a substantial increase from its current output of 83,000 tonnes.

The expansion is expected to create 150 new jobs at the facility, bringing the total number of employees to 800. This move reinforces the factory's position as a crucial production hub for PepsiCo's popular brands like Lay's, Doritos, and Cheetos in Europe.

This latest investment follows a €7.5 million investment in 2022, primarily focused on water-related projects. The factory now boasts a 95% reuse rate for filtered process water, and a new water network has been established to enhance the collection, purification, and reuse of waste and rainwater.

The Veurne factory is one of the largest potato chip producers in Belgium, alongside Kellogg Company's Pringles factory in Mechelen. With this latest investment, PepsiCo solidifies its commitment to the Belgian market and its position as a key player in the European snack food industry.