Japanese beer maker, Kirin Brewery Co., plans to unify food-and-beverage-related research and development for all its group companies, according to Asia Pulse Pte Ltd. By around next spring, the company plans to transfer all research personnel from subsidiary Kirin Beverage Corp. to Kirin Brewery's factory in Yokohama. Researchers will also be gathered from other group companies engaged in milk-based beverages, tomato juice and other areas.

The move should help boost efficiency in the company's R&D operations, and help it develop new products in new fields such as low-alcohol beverages and fermented food products.Kirin's consolidated R&D spending is expected to grow 500 million yen (US$4.2 million) to 23.5 billion yen in the fiscal year ending Dec. 31. The company has no plans to reduce R&D expenditures in the future.

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