Bio-Cat Microbials invests $35 Million to expand fermentation capacity

04-Mar-2022 - Last updated on 04-Mar-2022 at 15:11 GMT

Virginia-based Bio-Cat Microbials is expanding its current fermentation production by over 400% with the expansion to its Troy, VA facility.

Phase 1 will see an initial 53,800 square-foot expansion with the creation of 20 full-time positions. Potential future expansion would add 100,000 square feet.

“This expansion will be a huge boon for our fermentation capabilities, allowing us to further scale our production to supply customers and partners, both old and new, with the best microbial products on the market,” said Chris Schuler, Bio-Cat CEO and Co-Founder.

“The plans we have in place will make our Troy facilities truly best-in-class. We're looking forward to breaking ground and getting started.” The expansion is anticipated to be completed in May of 2023.

Bio-Cat currently manufactures a dozen proprietary Bacillus microbial strains for the human probiotic, production and companion animal, and crop science markets. The company stated that it 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.

A spokesperson for the company told us that the 13 primary production strains service applications across the board from waste water treatment to crop agriculture and human and animal nutrition. "The focus is human and animal nutrition with 11 of the 13 strains being used for humans and/or animals. Only one strain is currently targeted towards human nutrition but we are working on the development of more human probiotic strains," they said. "In addition to our 13 commercial production strains, we produce an additional 12 unique strains as part of our custom manufacturing offerings."

All fermentation is currently performed at the company’s Shakopee, Minnesota manufacturing sitebut once the expansion is complete, production will be shared between Virginia and Minnesota. The expansion will provide the company’s customers with manufacturing redundancy that will further solidify supply chain reliability, added the company.

“This investment reflects both our confidence in the team we have assembled, as well as our commitment to providing our customers with the very best product and service in the industry,” said Stephen Schuler, AVP of Operation at BIO-CAT Microbials.