Kemin acquires sustainably grown certification for rosemary

Kemin Industries has received third-party sustainably grown certification for its vertically integrated rosemary production through SCS Global Services. Kemin is the first to obtain third-party certification for this type of rosemary, according to the company.

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“Today's consumers are more interested in supporting sustainable agriculture practices than ever,” said Linda Brown, SCS senior vice president. “This certification assures Kemin Industries’ customers that the rosemary in its rosemary-based products is not just high quality but produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way.”
The sustainable, agronomic path Kemin has chosen differs from a popular but less widely known approach, said the company. Approximately 80% of rosemary that is used as a spice or for extraction is harvested from the wild in the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and North Africa under license from sovereign governments. This alters the natural ecology of these ecosystems and produces varying quality in the product. Dedicated to sustainable and environmental farming practices, Kemin contracts with family farmers in Texas and New Mexico to grow its proprietary rosemary varieties. This partnership not only increases the quality and quantity of crops but improves farming practices, promotes healthy working conditions and builds community relations, said Kemin.

Kemin opens new US$16.7 million Molecular Advancement Center

Kemin Industries recently dedicated its new, state-of-the-art, research-and-development facility at its corporate headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The US$16.7 million, 46,300-square-foot Molecular Advancement Center includes two general labs, six shared labs, three pilot labs, a sensory lab, a test kitchen and a personal care application research lab. 
The Molecular Advancement Center features an open-concept layout and 1,215 feet of linear research bench space as requested by the company's scientists and researchers. The center is already occupied by approximately 60 scientists, researching and developing products for the feed and food industries, as well as the health, nutrition and beauty markets. The company's existing Innovation Center continues to operate at full capacity with scientists focused on discovery research and petfood.


The 46,300-square-foot Molecular Advancement Center is located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, at the company's headquarters.

Plans for the center were first announced in October 2010. At that time, Kemin committed to adding 98 new positions and has already exceeded that number, to date hiring 137 new, full-time employees. 

Kemin introduces new low-fat petfood palatability enhancers

To overcome palatability and stability challenges associated with low-fat petfood diets, Kemin launched PALFRESH, a portfolio of palatability enhancers with additional antioxidant protection.
Low-fat petfood diets have a unique stability challenge because they include less topical fat, which is where antioxidants are typically added to stabilize the kibble. 
“Low-fat petfood diets have historically been the most difficult diets to stabilize,” says Lynn Deffenbaugh, global product manager for palatants at Kemin. “The one-size-fits-all antioxidant dosage in topical fats works for standard diets, but low-fat diets are under-dosed because the stability program depends on the antioxidant to be carried by the topical fat.”
With less topical fat, kibbles from low-fat diets are unevenly coated—leaving kibbles susceptible to rapid oxidation. In addition, low-fat diets may have reduced pet acceptance, which can be further compromised by stability challenges.
PALFRESH palatability enhancers deliver targeted antioxidant dosage through liquid application, ensuring that petfood kibble is evenly coated and protected from oxidation. PALFRESH also improves shelf-life by utilizing palatants that do not have a pro-oxidant effect.
Deffenbaugh will share additional research on PALFRESH at Petfood Forum in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA, during her presentation entitled, “Stabilization Technology to Deliver and Maintain Palatability throughout Pet Food Shelf Life." The presentation will take place on Wednesday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m., and Kemin representatives will also be available at booth 223.

Kemin to present at Petfood Forum

Kemin Industries Inc. will present the latest research on several topics impacting the petfood industry during the 2010 Petfood Forum April 12-14 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Presentations by Kemin experts include the impact of prebiotic and probiotic supplements on pets’ immunity and how to ensure freshness in petfood ingredients by managing biogenic amines.

Registration open for petfood safety symposium

Registration is still open for Kemin’s Food Safety in Petfoods and Petfood Ingredients, to be held Oct. 6-7 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
The different sessions at the symposium will cover regulatory issues, quality and testing and manufacturing techniques.
For more information, visit www.kemin.com.

Kemin hosts petfood safety symposium

Kemin will host Food Safety in Petfoods and Petfood Ingredients at the Renaissance Suites Hotel on Oct. 6-7 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
The different sessions at the symposium will cover regulatory issues, quality and testing and manufacturing techniques.
For more information, visit www.kemin.com.