Eustis, FL (June 15, 2022) — Vibrant Ingredients (“Vibrant”), a leader in clean label food and beverage ingredient solutions, celebrated the official opening of a new Innovation Center and lab at its headquarters in Eustis, Florida, on Thursday, June 9. The facility encompasses several specialized areas including a microbiology lab, dry products preparation room, culinary kitchen, sample lab, and a customer demo space.
“When we made the decision to accelerate our innovation process, particularly in the clean label food protection category, we quickly realized we needed an Innovation Center that would offer this physical space and additional technical capabilities to execute our plans,” said Christopher Naese, Vice President, Business Development & Sustainability, Vibrant Ingredients.
Pavan Soma, PhD, Director of R&D at Vibrant, was tasked with mapping out additional analytical and pilot-scale production equipment needed, including several bioreactors, analyzers for color and texture, as well as organic acids, minerals and other molecules of interest. He commented, “We are thrilled that with the new lab, both scoping and prototype development time is reduced. The Innovation Center provides a modern spacious lab that will be able to accommodate additional scientists we are looking to bring into the group.”
Guests that attended the grand opening event included representatives from the City of Eustis, Lake County Florida, the Chamber of Commerce, Vibrant’s Scientific Advisory Board members, representatives from the University of Florida, Keiser University, key local suppliers, neighbors and friends of the company. After a ceremonial ribbon cutting, a tour was conducted that included both the lab and the factory, where highlights of the site’s most recent capital upgrades were unveiled.
Attendees were treated to a range of refreshments including beverages, appetizers and sweets, containing ingredients representing Vibrant’s various product solutions. These included a wide variety, from natural meat cures to antioxidants, teas, botanicals, fermented vegetable juices, and alcohol flavors for some great zero-proof drinks!
Take a tour of the Vibrant Innovation Center here.
Find out more about how Vibrant Ingredients’ innovative research and product development capabilities deliver uniquely natural, functional, and plant-based ingredients to customers across a variety of industries to provide Purely Better™ solutions here or visit https://ffp.siteservice.net.
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