Biologicals company Valent BioSciences on May 29 celebrated the grand opening of the Venburg Wing at the company’s Melnik and Shafer Biorational Research Center in Libertyville, Ill. Named after Dr. Greg Venburg, Senior Director, Global Research at Valent, the new facility includes a laboratory and pilot plant areas, offices, and meeting rooms.
“This new wing in the Melnik and Shafer Biorational Research Center honors Greg’s many accomplishments over his long and distinguished career. He has served in various R&D leadership roles and overseen the research, development, and introduction of major biorational technologies and products,” said Salman Mir, Valent President and CEO.
“Greg was also central to the planning, design, and construction of this facility and provided essential vision and leadership in forming the research teams working to develop innovative solutions to new and emerging biorational needs and opportunities,” Mir continued. “His contributions have been essential in helping us strengthen our industry leadership position.”
Valent is also undertaking a major expansion at its Osage, Iowa, manufacturing facility that will be completed in early 2025. The additions include new production-scale fermentation and recovery equipment, a new pilot plant facility, and expanded laboratory space.
To support its sustainability initiatives, the company reported that it has restored 34 acres of native prairie land adjacent to the Osage facility that will sequester approximately 170 mt/y of CO2. The company also operates a 12-acre solar field on land adjacent to the prairie that provides a portion of the Osage facility’s total annual electricity usage.
“I’m thrilled to celebrate the Valent BioSciences expansion and am grateful for the firm’s long presence and continued investment in our community,” said Donna Johnson, Mayor of the Village of Libertyville. “This is an example of the many innovative firms that continue to be attracted to the Village of Libertyville given the skilled employment base, strategic location, and supportive business environment.”
Valent is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. and is the parent company of Mycorrhizal Applications LLC, a supplier of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-based products. The company markets its biorational products in more than 95 countries.