ZURICH, SWITZERLAND — Kraft Foods Inc. has announced plans to build a new Biscuit Research and Development Center just outside of Paris in Saclay. It will represent an investment of €15 million ($20 million), and is scheduled to open during the first half of 2011.

The center will be a place for researchers, product and packaging developers, and nutritionists to help support the European biscuit business by focusing on innovation and new product development. The center also will help advance biscuit technology platforms.

"France is an important strategic market for biscuits and for Kraft Foods globally," said Michael Clarke, executive vice-president and president of Kraft Foods Europe. "This investment makes good business sense, allowing us to continue to drive biscuit innovation and future growth. Consumers in Europe and around the world have long enjoyed our exceptional biscuit brands, and this facility will further enable us to create delicious new products for years to come."