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The Expansion of the Pet Market in Brazil Drives Industrial Investments: Nestlé Opens New Factory in Santa Catarina, with Advanced Technology and Use of Renewable Energy to Increase Production and Exports.
The advancement of the pet market in Brazil continues to attract the attention of major global companies. In a sector that consistently grows and generates billions of reais per year, industrial investments play a strategic role in meeting the increasing demand for food and products aimed at dogs and cats.
According to an article published by Exame on March 3, in this scenario, Nestlé Purina inaugurated a new factory in Santa Catarina, located in the municipality of Vargeão, in the western part of the state. The unit is part of an investment package of R$ 2.5 billion, considered the largest ever made by the company in the pet food segment in the country.
In addition, the industrial plant was planned with advanced automation technologies and use of renewable energy, combining productivity with environmental sustainability. The new unit also expands the company’s production capacity in the country and strengthens the company’s strategy in the growing Brazilian pet market, which continues to show accelerated expansion.
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Growth of the Pet Market Drives Nestlé’s Investment in Brazil
The constant growth of the pet market was one of the main factors that motivated the construction of the company’s new industrial unit. Brazil has established itself as one of the largest global markets for pet products.
According to data from the Brazilian Pet Products Industry Association (Abinpet), the sector generated R$ 75 billion in 2024, registering a growth of 9.6% compared to the previous year. This performance reinforces the trend of expansion observed in recent years. The country also has one of the largest populations of domestic animals on the planet. Currently, there are more than 150 million pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and other pets.
This scenario creates a favorable environment for new industrial investments. Global companies see Brazil as a strategic market, both due to the size of the pet population and the growth in the consumption of industrialized food.
According to Marcelo Melchior, CEO of Nestlé Brazil, the new industrial unit reflects the importance of the country within the company’s global strategy. The executive highlighted that the investment combines technological innovation, animal welfare, and growth opportunities in one of the most promising markets for the sector.
New Nestlé Factory in Santa Catarina Increases Production and Strengthens Industrial Strategy
The new Nestlé factory in Santa Catarina was designed to significantly increase the production of wet food for dogs and cats. These products, usually sold in pouches, are part of a category that has been gaining more and more space in the pet market.
With the unit coming into operation, the company’s production capacity in this segment nearly doubles in Brazil. This move allows for better service of the growing market demand and expands the company’s presence in different regions.
The Vargeão plant will operate in conjunction with the traditional factory in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of São Paulo. The São Paulo unit has been in operation for over 50 years and produces dry food, treats, and other products for pets.
According to Rodrigo Maingue, executive director of Purina in Brazil, the two factories operate complementarily within the company’s industrial strategy. This integration increases the company’s competitiveness and strengthens Brazil’s role within Nestlé’s global strategy in the pet care sector.
Santa Catarina Becomes a Strategic Piece in Export to Latin America
The new factory in Santa Catarina was also planned with a focus on the international market. The unit has already begun shipping products to other countries in the region and is expected to gradually expand its operations. The first shipments are directed to Chile, while new markets are expected to be incorporated in the coming months, including Colombia and Mexico.
This move consolidates Brazil as a production and export platform within Nestlé’s global operation. The strategy allows for serving both the domestic market and countries in Latin America from a centralized industrial structure.
Another factor that influenced the choice of Santa Catarina was the strong agribusiness chain present in the state. The region has a large production of pigs and poultry, which ensures proximity to important raw materials used in the production of pet food. This logistical proximity reduces transportation costs, increases the efficiency of the production chain, and strengthens the competitiveness of the industrial operation.
Technology, Automation, and Industry 4.0 at the New Nestlé Factory
The new Nestlé factory in Santa Catarina was developed based on the concept of Industry 4.0, incorporating digital solutions and advanced technologies to increase production efficiency. The plant features automated production lines, robots responsible for filling and packaging stages, and digital systems for process and batch traceability.
Another important resource is the use of sensors connected by Internet of Things (IoT), which allow real-time monitoring of different stages of production. This data is analyzed to ensure quality control, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.
The unit also has an Integrated Operations Center, responsible for supervising the entire production chain and ensuring greater control over industrial processes. In addition, the factory’s operating system was designed to function in a paperless model, eliminating the use of physical documents and prioritizing digital records.
According to the company, this combination of automation, artificial intelligence, and digital monitoring contributes to increasing productivity and improving the quality of products aimed at the pet market.
Renewable Energy Reinforces Nestlé’s Environmental Commitment
One of the main differentiators of the new Nestlé factory in Santa Catarina is the use of renewable energy throughout the industrial operation. The plant is the first Purina factory in Latin America to use thermal and electrical energy exclusively from renewable sources. The operation includes a biomass boiler and electricity generated from renewable sources.
The project also incorporates technologies aimed at environmental efficiency, such as modern systems for rational water and energy use. Among the solutions adopted are 100% LED industrial lighting, high energy efficiency equipment, and an advanced effluent treatment system.
Another important point is that the operation was planned not to send waste to landfills, adopting a more sustainable waste management model.
These initiatives are aligned with Nestlé’s global commitment to become a Net Zero company by 2050, gradually reducing its carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy in its operations.
Economic Impacts and Job Creation in the Region
In addition to technological and environmental advancements, the new factory in Santa Catarina also generates important impacts on the regional economy. The operation of the unit created 140 direct jobs, of which 42% are held by women. Diversity is also present in the leadership of the plant, where women represent half of the management positions.
In addition to direct positions, the project also generated 44 indirect jobs and about 200 outsourced professionals involved in operations. During the construction phase of the factory, approximately 7,200 workers participated in the works, bringing significant economic impacts to the municipality of Vargeão and neighboring cities.
Another highlight was the investment in professional training. In partnership with the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (FIESC), the company promoted training for 150 people in areas related to industrial operation. These initiatives help strengthen regional development, stimulating workforce qualification and expanding job opportunities in the area.
An Investment that Reinforces Brazil’s Prominence in the Pet Market
The inauguration of the new Nestlé factory in Santa Catarina represents more than just the expansion of the company’s production capacity. The project symbolizes Brazil’s growing importance within the company’s global strategy and within the global pet market.
With a population of domestic animals exceeding 150 million, a sector generating R$ 75 billion, and an annual growth of 9.6%, the country is solidifying itself as one of the most promising environments for the development of the pet industry. By investing in technology, industrial automation, and renewable energy, Nestlé strengthens its presence in a highly competitive market while simultaneously contributing to the advancement of sustainable production.
The unit installed in Santa Catarina also demonstrates how industrial investments can generate positive effects beyond production, boosting exports, creating jobs, and stimulating regional development. With this strategy, the company reinforces its leadership in the pet market and expands Brazil’s role as an important global center for pet food production.
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