Nestlé has confirmed an investment of approximately €560 million to build a new integrated hub in Mantua, consisting of a Purina plant dedicated to wet pet food and a logistics hub to serve several of the group's brands.
The project consolidates production and distribution under one roof, aiming to increase industrial capacity, speed delivery, and supply chain resilience. Operations and integration of the two facilities are expected to begin in 2029.
The new plant will produce super-premium wet food for dogs and cats, one of the most dynamic segments of the market. In Europe, wet cat food is growing at an annual rate of 8%, while in Italy, pet care is expected to reach a total value of €5,3 billion in 2025, of which €4,2 billion is attributable to pet food.
The investment expands Purina's manufacturing footprint in Italy, complementing the Portogruaro plant, which has been operating for forty years and is already part of the group's European network. Mantua will have a broader scope, thanks to the combined presence of both the industrial and distribution hubs.
"We are proud that the Nestlé Group has chosen Italy, and Mantua in particular, for this significant investment that combines advanced manufacturing and logistics capabilities," said Marco Travaglia, President and CEO of the Nestlé Group in Italy. "The new plant dedicated to Purina's wet pet food business and the distribution hub strengthen our presence in the country and at the heart of Europe's logistics corridors, allowing us to serve markets with greater speed and quality."
The choice of location also reflects geographical logic. The Mantua area lies along the main logistics corridors of Northern Italy and offers connections to Western, Central, and Eastern European markets. The new center will therefore support both Purina's growth and the distribution of a broader portfolio of Nestlé brands.
The logistics hub will be designed to optimize delivery times, reduce transportation costs, and improve responsiveness to fluctuations in demand. Integration with the plant will also shorten some steps in the supply chain and more effectively coordinate production, storage, and distribution.
"In a market that continues to show solid performance, Purina continues its growth path, expanding production capacity and consolidating its strategic positioning," commented Fabio Degli Esposti, CEO of Purina Italy and Regional Director of Purina Southern Europe. "The new Mantua plant represents a key investment to support Purina's future development and industrial growth, confirming Italy's importance within the European network."
For Nestlé, the project confirms Italy's strategic importance in its continental development plan. The group sees pet food as one of the areas with the greatest potential, fueled by the growing animal population and the increasingly central role of pets in families.
