Kemin Breaks Ground on Research Facility

DES MOINES, IowaKemin Industries began construction on its new research and development facility, a state-of-the-art center designed to provide 1,215 linear feet of laboratory bench space for approximately 60 scientists. More than 100 scientists gathered in Des Moines this month for a ceremonial groundbreaking of the new facility. When finished, it will include two general labs, six shared laboratories and three pilot laboratoriesthe pilot labs will focus on developing products that can be scaled up in preparation for full-market launch.

The company highlighted several unique features in the new building, including a sensory lab and test kitchen for the companys food technologies division. It will also have a test lab for evaluating Kemin molecules in personal care products. According to company plans, scientists researching and developing products for the feed and food industries as well as the health, nutrition and beauty markets will work in the new building. The existing facility will continue to operate at full capacity, where scientists will remain focused on discovery research and pet food.

 If you want to know what inspires scientists and researchers to do their best work, all you have to do is ask themand thats exactly what we did, said  Chris Nelson, Ph.D., president and CEO of Kemin. They helped create the design for the new R&D facility which is an open-concept approach and includes shared laboratories. It is the best possible environment for encouraging collaboration and new product breakthroughs.

Will Schroeder, Ph.D., research and development director for Kemin's food technologies division said the new facility will give the company an opportunity to make an even a wider range of products. "I am most excited about the test kitchen and sensory labs," he said. "The fact that we are making this investment in our research means that Kemin will be positioned for growth in the years to come.

The new research facility is part of a global expansion plan Kemin announced in October of 2010, whcih includes doubling the size of its headquarters in Iowa. The research facility, which is scheduled for