The facility, in Rosemount, near O’Hare International Airport, on the outskirts of Chicago, will employ 15 people and focus on functional and technical developments in cheeses, yogurt, infant formulas, beverages and bars.
It builds on Fonterra’s global R&D network which includes bases in Palmerston North, New Zealand, Melbourne, Australia and Hamburg, Germany.
Fonterra made Chicago its primary north American base in the summer and said the Chicago Technical Centre (CTC), as it is called, “will allow more innovations to be tailored specifically to the needs of Fonterra’s customers operating within the US and Canadian markets.”
Fonterra USA was formerly headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
“Our investment in the CTC reinforces Fonterra’s commitment to the US dairy industry and to innovation,” said Martin Bates, Fonterra USA’s president and chief operating officer.
The CTC cotains processing equipment, a sample analysis lab and an ingredient supply site.
Fonterra vice president of technical development, Keith Schafer, USA’s, said the CTC would facilitate work with Fonterra clients and partners as well as scientists working with Fonterra ingredients “in formulating retail and food service products.”
“The centre will allow Fonterra to work directly with our North American customers, which range from the five largest food companies to smaller, regional firms,” Schafer said.
“Fonterra IP and technology will be demonstrated at the facility. Staff will also work with universities and outside laboratories, as needed, on customer projects.”
Fonterra offerings on the North American market include whey-based ingredients, speciality milk protein concentrates for cheeses and yogurts and hydrolysates for infant nutrition.
Fonterra USA is a fully-owned subsidiary of the New Zealand-based dairy co-operative which is the fifth largest dairy company in the world.
It trades in 140 countries globally.