Roquette America Inc. (www.roquette.com) celebrated the opening of its Innovation Center in Geneva, Ill., just outside Chicago, on Sept. 14. The R&D center contains laboratories available for customers, a culinary demonstration kitchen and a pilot facility.
It joins similar Roquette Group innovation centers in Europe and Asia. The Geneva center was built to LEED silver specifications for “green” buildings, and that certification is expected shortly.
The Innovation Center will allow customers to join Roquette food scientists in developing and enhancing products for the nutrition, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and biochemical markets, in the process reducing time to market.
Roquette America is a subsidiary of privately held Roquette Freres, headquartered in Lestrem, France. The company began in 1933, developing ingredients – particularly starches and polyols -- from corn, pea, potato, wheat and now microalgae.
Among the participants were Marc Roquette, chairman of Roquette Group; Edouard Roquette, vice chairman of Roquette Group and chairman of Roquette America’s board; and Guy Talbourdet, Roquette Group CEO.
Roquette America has production facilities in Keokuk, Iowa, and Gurnee, Ill.
