DuPont opens new probiotics facility as part of $100 million investment

15-Jul-2019 - Last updated on 15-Jul-2019 at 15:23 GMT

Getty Images

DuPont has opened its new probiotics facility in Rochester, NY, part of the company’s $100 million investment into the category.

The new facility was completed in March and is now producing probiotics for foods, beverages and dietary supplements.

"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."

Innovations in expanded facility

According to the company the new facility includes several innovations, such as:

The world's largest fermenter for probiotics production and its downstream processing.
A built-in, fully automated system of sensors and monitors that helps maintain optimal growing conditions, removing the need to take traditional manual samples.
Pressurized air technology to mix fermenting solutions, replacing traditional pumps and mixing blades that can damage bacteria.
New bacteria freezing technology for safe storage of the probiotics that significantly increases efficiency.

DuPont’s investment was supported by so-called Upstate Revitalization Initiative Grant provided from a public/private investment fund known as Empire State Development.

"Supporting the growth of innovative companies like DuPont, with its new probiotics fermentation unit at Eastman Business Park, reinforces the strength of the region's agriculture and food ecosystem and reflects our strategic focus on recruiting and retaining food production businesses that drive economic development in the Finger Lakes,” said Howard Zemsky, president, CEO and commissioner for Empire State Development.

Products for different indications, life stages

DuPont develops and produces a wide range of clinically-documented probiotic strains for products sold globally. The company says that in the United States alone, more than 16 million households are purchasing probiotics, and for a variety of indications, which now include weight management and cognitive benefits to go along with digestive and immune heath. For example, DuPont’s HOWARU Shape product won Ingredient of the Year for Weight Management at the recent NutraIngredients-Asia awards.

In addition to its work in probiotics for adults, DuPont is also active in infant health and nutrition. The company recently formed a partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to study a ‘unique’ probiotic strain to treat sepsis among infants in Bangladesh.