You have reached your limit of 3 free stories. A story preview is shown instead.
To view more stories
(If your subscription is current,
click here to Login or Register.)
Bioindustrial Innovation Center Expands
Minnesota ag entrepreneurs are gaining support through the new Bioindustrial Innovation Center. The state’s Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is expanding with over 20,000 sq. ft. of pilot laboratory and office space. The center features a 1,500-sq. ft., FDA-certified, food-grade lab for producing and
..........
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the page.
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the flip-book
Bioindustrial Innovation Center Expands
Minnesota ag entrepreneurs are gaining support through the new Bioindustrial Innovation Center. The state’s Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is expanding with over 20,000 sq. ft. of pilot laboratory and office space. The center features a 1,500-sq. ft., FDA-certified, food-grade lab for producing and processing food-grade materials.
“With financial support from the state of Minnesota, AURI invested in new space and equipment to catalyze the commercial market expansion of ag-derived products,” says Shannon Schlecht, AURI executive director. “The center has capabilities in anaerobic digestion, biomass drying, decortication and oilseed pressing, as well as densification and processing operations.”
He notes that AURI is working to fulfill its mission by serving as a resource for ag producers, businesses and entrepreneurs to develop new uses and markets for agricultural products and to keep ag enterprises thriving. Over the past five years, AURI has partnered with businesses on 210 projects. Of these, 114 were in the food sector, 55 in the bioindustrial sector, and 41 involved both sectors.
Schlecht notes that the 210 projects generated $187 million in new annual sales, $85 million in new capital investment, and 717 jobs created or retained in Minnesota. The estimated future impact for Minnesota includes 797 jobs created or retained and an additional $266 million in capital investment.
The new center doubles AURI’s pilot lab footprint and capabilities to meet growing demand. It’s designed to help develop new uses for animal and plant products and assist in scaling them to an industrial level.
Pilot plant equipment includes a 1-ton-per-hour pellet mill, pellet cooler, hammer mill, pneumatic and belt conveyors, oil presses, screeners, dryers, dehuller, burr mill, and more. Equipment can be reconfigured to replicate industrial processes and workflows.
The center features a pilot digester with two 1,250-gal. tanks and both mechanical and hydraulic mixers. They can operate in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions and provide real-time monitoring of gas production.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, AURI, 510 Cty. Rd. 71, Suite 120, Crookston, Minn. 56716 (ph 218-281-7600; communications@auri.org; www.auri.org).
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
