CHINA – Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer has opened a new CNY100 million (US$14.2 million) Innovation and Technology Center at its regional headquarters in Zhuhai, China.
The 4,200-square-meter facility will improve Kemin’s capability to develop leading technologies and services to better meet customers’ needs.
The center will employ scientists to work in the multiple industries Kemin serves, including human and animal nutrition and health, aquaculture, food technologies, pet food, specialty crop improvement among others.
“This new laboratory will allow Kemin to harness the talent and creative thinking of Chinese scientists and the insights of our customers to develop the technologies they need,” said Dr. Chris Nelson, Kemin’s president and chief executive.
“We must take the opportunity to tap into our local customer base to better understand their needs and the challenges they face.
“Opening a research and development center here prepares us to better meet the growing demands of our industries in the region and increase our global impact.”
The new innovation and technology center allows Kemin to be more responsive to changes in the Chinese market and provide localized products and solutions.
“The Innovation and Technology Center will improve both our research and development capabilities in China and the Customer Laboratory Services we offer.
“We can now provide a technical training center to our customers as part of this new facility,” said Dr. Zhilin Gan, President, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health – China.
In October, the company also opened a new US$1.5 million bakery innovation center at its global headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.
The US$1.5 million investment was designed to inspire innovation within the bakery market, and includes all the equipment, capabilities and bakery support team needed for Kemin and its customer-partners to accelerate product development.
The 2,300-square-foot bakery innovation facility also includes the launch of batch packs, premixes, emulsifiers and enzyme blends specific to flatbreads and baked goods.
These products complement Kemin Food Technologies’ existing portfolio of plant extracts, antioxidants and mold-inhibiting products to help manufacturers maintain safety and freshness.
The dedicated Bakery Innovation Center combines R&D support and expertise, Customer Laboratory Services and an in-house bakery pilot plant, allowing bakery and snack manufacturers to expedite commercialization of new bakery products.
