January 23, 2013

 

Japanese multinational food, beverage and micro-organisms group, Calpis, is expanding its probiotic feed additive interests in the US, investing JPY1.5 billion (US$18.75 million) in a new manufacturing plant and research laboratory in the US state of Georgia.

The company will use the facility to "manufacture additives for animal feed utilising a process of culturing, drying and grinding a soybean-based product into a probiotic additive in powder form," according to the Peachtree City Planning Commission.

The complex is to be built on an 11.82-acre plot and will include a 36,370-square-foot plant and a 10,036-square-foot office building. The planning commission's staff had been working with Calpis and its designers for the past few months to ensure a smooth transition.  Calpis estimates the building will cost US$15 million, which will be located just south of the Lawson Mardon packaging plant.