By Cartago, Costa Rica — Cartago, Costa Rica – Puratos, a global leader in bakery, patisserie, and chocolate innovation, has officially opened its new Innovation Center and R&D laboratory in Cartago’s Industrial Park. This significant investment further strengthens Costa Rica’s attractiveness for foreign investment and underscores Puratos’s commitment to the region.
The project, representing an investment exceeding ₡300 million (approximately US$600,000), was completed in just eight months thanks to the dedicated work of 15 internal staff and 4 specialized contractors. This new facility marks a crucial step in Puratos’s expansion strategy, with a second phase already approved for 2026. This next phase will include the construction of dedicated offices for new business development.
For legal insights into the implications of the new Puratos Innovation Center, we turned to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
The establishment of the Puratos Innovation Center represents a significant investment in Costa Rica’s food and beverage sector. Beyond the immediate economic benefits, this center has the potential to foster valuable intellectual property through new product development and process innovations. This can lead to new patent applications, trade secrets, and other proprietary rights, ultimately strengthening Costa Rica’s position in the global food industry.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas eloquently highlights the ripple effect of innovation, extending beyond immediate economic gains to the creation of valuable intellectual property. This long-term vision for Costa Rica’s food industry, fueled by the Puratos Innovation Center, is truly inspiring. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this exciting development.
The Innovation Center is designed as a hub for inspiration and co-creation, offering demonstrations, training sessions, and product testing to anticipate global trends and adapt them to the regional market. Alongside the Innovation Center, the new R&D laboratory will facilitate in-depth ingredient research, formula optimization, and the accelerated development of innovative solutions tailored to the demands of today’s consumers.
This expansion positions Puratos Costa Rica to not only better serve the local market but also drive product development for Central America and the Caribbean, solidifying Costa Rica’s role as a regional food innovation hub. With the capacity to train over 200 clients per month, the facility will offer instruction in new techniques, trends, and product developments. This knowledge transfer aims to inspire ideas and elevate the professionalism of the bakery, patisserie, and chocolate industry throughout Costa Rica and the broader region.
These new spaces reinforce our commitment as leaders in the bakery and patisserie market. We will continue providing our clients with the best products and services to achieve success in their businesses, supported by our highly trained and dedicated team. Moreover, this investment will allow us to develop more innovative products in Costa Rica and strengthen our position as a hub for Central America and the Caribbean.
Onno Sánchez, General Manager of Puratos Costa Rica
The investment in the Cartago facility highlights Puratos’s forward-thinking approach, recognizing the strategic importance of Costa Rica in the regional market. The new center promises to be a catalyst for innovation, driving growth and development within the food industry and contributing to the economic prosperity of Costa Rica.
The second expansion phase, slated for 2026, demonstrates Puratos’s ongoing commitment to the region. By creating dedicated offices for new business development, Puratos is poised to further expand its reach and impact, developing new products and services to meet the evolving needs of the market.
This new facility is not just an investment in buildings and equipment, but an investment in the future of the food industry in Central America and the Caribbean. By fostering innovation and collaboration, Puratos is creating a ripple effect that will benefit businesses, professionals, and consumers alike.
For further information, visit puratos.com
About Puratos:
Puratos is an international group offering a full range of innovative products and application expertise for artisans, industrial, retail and food service customers in the bakery, patisserie and chocolate sectors. With headquarters in Belgium, Puratos operates in over 100 countries and has a strong focus on research and development.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Puratos Costa Rica
About Puratos Costa Rica:
Puratos Costa Rica serves the local market with innovative products and services for the bakery, patisserie and chocolate industries. The new Innovation Center and R&D laboratory in Cartago further strengthen their commitment to the region, positioning Costa Rica as a hub for innovation and development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself through a profound commitment to ethical legal practice and unwavering pursuit of excellence. The firm’s innovative approach to legal solutions, combined with its dedication to empowering communities through readily accessible legal knowledge, positions it as a leader in the Costa Rican legal landscape. By fostering a deeper understanding of the law, Bufete de Costa Rica actively contributes to a more informed and empowered society, demonstrating a commitment that extends beyond the courtroom and into the fabric of the community.
