Molino Nicoli, an Italian company internationally recognised as a key partner in cereal-based products within the better-for-you segment, has inaugurated a new production line dedicated to light extruded snacks for baby food at its manufacturing site in Costa di Mezzate, in the province of Bergamo.
The project involved the complete revamping and relocation of an existing line into a newly constructed building. As a result, Molino Nicoli has doubled the production capacity of its light extruded snack division, exceeding 50 million packs per year, while also significantly enhancing its packaging operations.
The investment places a strong focus on reinforcing continuous control systems and the company’s long-standing commitment to safety, a core value embedded in Molino Nicoli’s DNA. The new building has been designed with optimised environments and workflows to ensure top-tier industry standards. Dedicated solutions include specialised washing rooms, hygienic filters, controlled access through electronic authorisation systems, a quality control laboratory located adjacent to the production area, and X-ray inspection systems to ensure comprehensive checks on every single product.
“This expansion represents a strategic milestone for Molino Nicoli,” said Piero Mirra, CEO of Molino Nicoli. “It allows us to increase both capacity and flexibility, enabling us to further drive the growth of our business worldwide. At the same time, it strengthens our ability to respond to the demands of major retailers and our branded partners, who are increasingly seeking innovative solutions. All this takes place in a segment such as baby food, where standards are more stringent, and consumer expectations are at their highest.”
Beyond increased capacity, the project enables further optimization of production processes and the introduction of automation solutions designed to improve efficiency. These include advanced systems for ingredient distribution and dosing, as well as the implementation of a new industrial fibre-optic data network built in compliance with the latest cybersecurity regulations.
The new production line is housed in a new building within the Costa di Mezzate site, which already hosts three separate facilities dedicated to different production lines: conventional, gluten-free, and allergen-free. This complete physical separation ensures that raw materials intended for different uses do not come into contact with each other, minimising the risk of cross-contamination and enabling the company to operate in line with the most stringent standards for products aimed at consumers with specific nutritional needs and for baby food.
Molino Nicoli’s product quality is rooted in a strong heritage of expertise and craftsmanship, as well as in its deep connection with the local area. The company works with a limited number of local suppliers, with whom it has long-established relationships that ensure correct maize cultivation and full control of the supply chain, from harvesting the grain through to processing.