Bio-Cat Microbials invests $35 million in fermentation facility for microbial ingredients

Photo © iStockphoto.com

Microbial ingredients producer Bio-Cat (Troy, VA) is investing $35 million to expand its Troy, VA, facility to add fermentation capabilities. The company uses fermentation to produce microbial ingredients for numerous industries, including a dozen proprietary Bacillus microbial strains for the human probiotic, production and companion animal, and crop science markets.

Currently, the company’s fermentation is done at its Shakopee, MN, location. Expanding its Troy, VA, facility to also perform fermentation “will provide Bio-Cat Microbials’ customers with manufacturing redundancy that will further solidify supply chain reliability, which has become increasingly important in today’s market,” the company said in a press release.

The 53,800-sq-ft expansion is set to be completed in May 2023 and is projected to grow the company’s current fermentation production by more than 400%. An additional 100,000 sq ft could potentially be added in the future. The expanded facility will include state-of-the-art fermentation manufacturing facilities, custom-designed fermentation equipment to allow for both small- and large-batch manufacturing, quality labs, and an R&D center, the firm said. The expansion will initially add 20 full-time jobs across manufacturing, R&D, and quality departments.

The company added: “The company’s model will revolve around the continued development, blending, and contract manufacturing of Bacillus strains for customers in its Minnesota and Virginia facilities. Bio-Cat Microbials has also identified an additional 13 high-performing Bacillus strains that are currently in development, with several on target to launch within the next 12 months.”