July 16, 2020

Kemin Industries breaks ground on new quality control laboratory in Des Moines

Global ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries broke ground Wednesday, July 15, and revealed architectural renderings for a new quality control laboratory (QC lab) that will be built at its worldwide headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

The new $8-million lab will include 15,000 square feet of functional showcase labs to exhibit Kemin's advanced analytical capabilities. The lab will be a working space for Kemin teams and available for customers. It is slated to open in mid-2021.

"Building a new QC lab reinforces our commitment to delivering on our promise to customers and consumers that what they receive from Kemin is the result of our scientific expertise, innovative technologies and dedication to doing more to make our world better", said Dr. Chris Nelson, Kemin president and CEO.

"Last year, we set an ambitious vision to transform the quality of life for 80 percent of the world, and with the continuing support of our valued customers, Kemin can make that vision a reality".

More than 30 scientists from Kemin's human and animal health and nutrition, food technologies and pet food business units will join the QC lab, called the Central Analytical Laboratory for Target Analytes and Xenobiotics (CALTAX) lab, which manages the testing of raw materials' hazards including dioxins, pesticides and antibiotics.

By bringing together Kemin experts from different specialties into one space, the company hopes to improve efficiency and collaboration of analytical analysis. Kemin noted that it used the same strategy in 2017 when it completed a five-year, $125.5 million overall investment at its worldwide corporate headquarters in Des Moines.

The groundbreaking event was not open to the public due to Kemin's COVID-19 policies, but a larger-scale ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in 2021 when the QC lab opens, the company said in a press release.

Image: Facebook/KeminIndustries