DuPont on July 15 announced the opening of a new probiotics fermentation unit at its Rochester, New York facility.
Probiotics are used in healthy food products such as Greek yogurts or fermented drinks, which have surged in popularity in recent years.
The facility was completed in March as part of a $100 million investment and is now producing probiotics for the dietary supplement and food and beverage industries.
“The investment in our Rochester probiotics operation furthers our strategy to provide health and nutrition science solutions to this growing market,” said DuPont CEO Marc Doyle. “With the completion of this facility, we have the largest fermenter in the world dedicated to probiotics production, which enhances our ability to provide customers and consumers with high quality, clinically-documented strains that will positively impact people’s health now and in the future.”
The facility incorporates several new production innovations, including:
â— The world’s largest fermenter for probiotics production and its downstream processing.
â— A built-in, fully automated system of sensors and monitors that helps maintain optimal growing conditions, removing the need to take traditional manual samples.
â— Pressurized air technology to mix fermenting solutions, replacing traditional pumps and mixing blades that can damage bacteria.
â— New bacteria freezing technology for safe storage of the probiotics that significantly increases efficiency.
The investment is banking on the16 million U.S. households which are purchasing probiotics for their digestive and immune health benefits.