Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) announced today that it has opened a new enzyme lab in Davis, Cal. The lab’s scientists will work with ADM’s other research and development facilities around the globe to develop enzyme products to serve a variety of markets and will partner with China-based Qingdao Vland Biotech Group Co. Ltd. to develop and commercialize feed enzymes to improve animal health and nutrition.

“We’re excited to open this new research facility lab in Davis, expanding our ability to develop and commercialize a wide range of enzymes and advancing our animal health partnership with Vland,” ADM chief technology officer Todd Werpy said. “In addition to an accomplished staff of scientists and researchers and a great partner in Vland, our new lab will benefit from its location near the University of California-Davis (UC-Davis), which provides access to world-leading expertise and resources in the areas of food science and nutrition as well as animal health and agriculture. ADM has collaborated with UC-Davis in the past, and we look forward to an even closer relationship now. We’re also very appreciative of the city of Davis, which has been tremendously supportive and helpful through this entire process.”

Earlier this year, ADM and Vland signed a joint development agreement under which the companies will share enzyme-producing strains as a basis for the development of feed enzymes. Products developed under the agreement will be commercialized by both companies.

“Working with ADM will help us accelerate the commercialization of enzyme products globally,” Vland chief executive officer Gang Chen said. “We see this as the beginning of a productive collaboration and look forward to working closely with some of the best enzyme scientists in the world at the new ADM Davis lab.”

Enzymes in swine and poultry diets can increase the efficiency of digestion, give feed producers greater flexibility in the types of raw materials that can be used in feed formulation and help mitigate the negative impacts of animal production on the environment.

“ADM is continuing to expand its health and wellness product portfolio, including animal feed enzymes,” said Vikram Luthar, ADM president, Health & Wellness. “These important investments, along with our world-class research capabilities, our global footprint and our existing portfolio of healthy ingredients, are helping to ensure that we are the go-to solutions provider for customers across the food, beverage, feed, personal care and pharmaceutical industries.”