Glanbia Nutritionals, Chicago, introduced FerriUp, a new whey protein that provides a strong nutrient foundation for active women, a group that might experience depleted iron and energy levels. The U.S. sports nutrition market lacks focus in this area, with only 0.6% of new product launches targeting women, the company says, citing Innova and Mintel data. However, 62% of active women agree that a product designed to support their iron and energy levels is very or extremely appealing to them, it adds, citing a Glanbia Nutritionals survey published in January. Glanbia’s new FerriUp is a high-quality whey protein produced using the company’s selective transfer membrane system, which concentrates the key nutrient components of whey, it notes. FerriUp naturally contains abundant levels of lactoferrin and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and 80% protein, providing a strong nutrient foundation that supports iron modulation, energy levels and immune health in active women, according to the company. FerriUp is instantized, making it ideal for use in ready-to-mix powders, it adds. “Leveraging our extensive experience and knowledge in bioactive protein science, formulation, manufacturing and testing in the creation of FerriUp, we’ve been able to ensure a fully homogenous whey protein with guaranteed levels of lactoferrin, vitamin B12 and protein,” said Catherine Ward, product marketing manager for Glanbia, in a statement.

ADM, Chicago, celebrated the grand opening of the new ADM Science and Technology Center at the University of Illinois Research Park. The facility quadruples ADM’s footprint at the University of Illinois Research Park and reflects a significant expansion of its capabilities, it notes. In addition to its focus on process and financial modeling as well as business intelligence and business development, the new center’s portfolio will allow the addition of human nutrition research and development, wet chemistry, sensory science, data science, computational fluid dynamics, and customer interface and applications, the company says. “Our partnership with the University of Illinois has been a win for ADM, the university and its students, as well as the industries in which ADM operates, and we are so excited about this new facility and the future of our collaboration,” said Todd Werpy, Ph.D., senior vice president and chief science officer at ADM, in a statement. “University of Illinois students and visiting scientists have helped ADM tackle big challenges and have developed business cases for important research projects. For the university and its students, the new facility will provide hands-on experiences working on real projects that are making an impact not just on ADM, but also on the world. The expansion strengthens our relationship with the university, leading to more value for ADM, more opportunities for students, and more innovation to unlock the power of nature in order to enrich the quality of life.”

Nellson Nutraceutical LLC, Anaheim, Calif., a leading North American manufacturer of branded and private label nutritional bars and functional powder solutions, announced a restructuring plan, which will cease manufacturing operations in its Salt Lake City, Utah-based facility by the end of December and consolidate its nutritional powder volume, manufacturing equipment and assets to its Anaheim, California facility. “After extensive evaluation, Nellson has made the strategic decision to consolidate facilities and cease operations in Salt Lake City,” said Jean Filion, CEO of Nellson, in a statement. “Over the past few years, we have invested in expanding the capacity and capabilities of our powder facilities. The significant operational and productivity improvements in Anaheim created the opportunity for consolidation — while ensuring ample growth capacity for the future — which led us to conclude that closing our Salt Lake City facility is in the best interests of both Nellson and our clients. This decision was not easy, but we believe it will substantially enhance our ability to serve our brand partners effectively and facilitate making further investments in our market-leading capabilities.”

Kerry, Beloit, Wis., launched Puremul, a new texture system which enables manufacturers to reformulate using a label friendly non-GMO alternative that overcomes the existing sunflower supply challenges. This natural texture system can replace the use of sunflower lecithin and mono- and diglycerides across multiple applications, including baked goods and plant-based beverages, the company says. In addition, the technology helps solve the perpetual problem of clean label emulsification by replacing the functionality of mono-and diglycerides across a number of applications, including bakery and beverage, it notes. “The Kerry Puremul texture system is an exciting ingredient innovation developed out of our long-time research experience with acacia, a natural, sustainable, plant-based ingredient source for food and beverage applications,” said Tim Cottrell, business development director for emulsifiers, texturants and gum acacia for North America at Kerry, in a statement. “We believe manufacturers and product developers in bakery and plant-based beverages will find this an exciting, clean label emulsification alternative for use in both reformulations and new product development.” Produced using naturally sourced acacia from the sustainable, drought-resistant acacia tree — cultivated by local farmers in the Sahel region, Africa — Puremul is clean label and can be listed on the ingredient list as “Acacia, Natural Flavor,” the company notes.  Its many technical benefits include excellent emulsification, high-quality texture and stability, improved process efficiencies, sensory and taste maintenance, and reliable supply available through vertically integrated supply chains, it says.