Deerland opens new lab for enzyme development

Deerland Enzymes started out in 1990 as an enzyme trading company, and has since morphed into an international trading company and enzyme manufacturer. Based in Kennesaw, GA, it works with customers from the conceptualization of a product right through to final formulation and, where needed, contract manufacturing.

The new lab, which includes expanded work stations and new equipment, is intended to help it work with customers at every stage.

But working in such a competitive market also means it has to ensure its customers’ secrets are secure. This led it to corner off an area of its lab facility and make it accessible to privileged people working on confidential product developments.

CEO Scott Ravech said this ensures “the highest level of safety and security when it comes to protecting [customers’] intellectual properties".​

Another aspect the company is emphasizing is quality testing abilities.

“With more stringent analytical requirements needed to support GMP certification and FDA compliance, companies must assume the responsibility of being able to provide accurate and on-time testing necessary to support the needs of the customers,” said John Deaton, lab testing and quality control manager.

The enzymes Dearland makes are used by a broad slate of industries, including food, nutritional supplements, brewing, distilling and animal feed, starch, textiles, waste treatment, paper and pharmaceuticals.

The food enzymes market has benefited greatly from innovation in recent years, according to Leatherhead International’s 2008 Food Additives Report. It cites enzymes which extend the shelf-life of baked goods or imitate meat and cheese flavorings in a wide range of prepared dishes as driving growth in the marketplace.

The Freedonia Group predicts market value for food and beverage enzymes will grow six percent annually to $1.5bn in 2013.

Between 1998 and 2008 the average annual growth rate was 16 per cent, however.