A new 5,000ft² innovation centre has recently been opened in Chicago, Illinois, by Ornua’s subsidiary CoreFX.

Ornua, which claims to be the largest exporter of Irish dairy products, announced the acquisition of CoreFX ingredients in November of last year.

It is hoped that the new centre will complement Ornua’s existing innovation network in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the US.

Since June 2016, CoreFX has more than quadrupled its number of employees – from 12 to 50, according to Ornua.

Speaking at the opening, Ornua’s CEO Kevin Lane said: “The opening of the innovation centre at CoreFX marks a key milestone in its exciting growth journey and greatly improves its capability and ability to create innovative ingredients solutions that meet customer needs.

Innovation is core to Ornua’s growth plans and this centre further strengthens Ornua’s global innovation network, which now covers Ireland, the UK, Germany, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the US.

As well as the innovation centre, CoreFX also has a manufacturing facility in Orangeville, Illinois – where a 10,000ft² warehouse expansion is currently in progress.

The US-based company specialises in the manufacture of custom dry dairy, cheese and lipid ingredient solutions – which serve industrial food manufacturers and food service markets in the US and across the world.

The ability to design ingredients specific to customer requirements is a key focus of CoreFX’s business.

The new innovation centre is set to house a research and development lab, as well as a state-of-the-art kitchen to fulfill these needs.

Ornua markets, sells and exports Irish dairy products on the behalf of its members – Ireland’s dairy processors, and in turn Irish dairy farmers – to approximately 110 countries worldwide.