Mlinotest Unveils €7 Million Pasta Plant Expansion

Mlinotest, a prominent Slovenian food group, celebrated the grand opening of its fully renovated dried pasta factory in AjdovšÄina, located in the western part of the country, on May 10th. The €7 million investment has nearly doubled the production capacity of the facility.

The extensively renovated plant now features two new production lines and two packaging lines, resulting in significantly shorter production times and a substantial increase in output. The newly installed lines have the capacity to produce 1,000 and 400 kilograms of pasta per hour, respectively.

This investment also prioritizes energy efficiency. Mlinotest has switched from gas to biomass for heating, reducing energy consumption, while a closed cooling system minimizes water usage.

Robert Rutar, the Director of Flour Milling and Pasta Making, expressed optimism about the investment, stating, "The increased production volume provides an opportunity to attract new buyers, develop new products, and expand the volume of existing products. Higher productivity enables us to produce more with the same workforce."

Although the new machines require less physical labor, the 30 workers in dried pasta production will receive training to operate the advanced equipment, ensuring job security for all employees.

During the inauguration, President Nataša Pirc Musar emphasized the growing significance of the food industry, particularly in the evolving global market.

Mlinotest began planning this expansion in 2017 when it inaugurated a new factory for fresh pasta. Presently, the group sells 75% of its pasta products within Slovenia and exports the remaining portion primarily to Croatia and Italy.

CEO Danilo Kobal revealed that more significant investments are planned for this year, totaling approximately €6 million. These investments will include the renovation of the cereal mill.

Founded in the mid-19th century, Mlinotest is a leading Slovenian food-processing company. With a workforce of 670 employees, it specializes in the production of flour, bread, biscuits, and now expanded pasta manufacturing.