Beloit, Wis.-based Kerry said it recently celebrated the $28.6 million expansion of its facility in Rochester, Minn. This project increases manufacturing capacity at the state-of-the-art facility and includes the addition of a new spray dryer and two 10,000-gallon dryer feed tanks.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the facility on June 27, the company said. Speakers included Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede; Kenneth Stanford, plant manager at Kerry’s Rochester plant; and Neil Cracknell, president and CEO of Functional Ingredients & Actives at Kerry.  

The Rochester facility produces naturally derived fermented ingredients utilized by manufacturers to deliver fresh taste over the shelf life of dairy, bakery products, deli meats, prepared meals and various other food and beverage products. The increasing market demand for clean-label ingredients and transparent preservation methods, which is driven by consumer interest, is the key driver behind Kerry’s investment in Rochester, the company said.