Kansas State University's Grain Science and Industry program is distinguished worldwide by its long-standing reputation for outstanding students, global industry influence, and cutting-edge research. The department is a primary training ground for managers and technology specialists who lead businesses and organizations to feed the world. Companies from every region of the world come to KSU for research and training support in baking, milling, and feed production; as well as grain based Bio-Processing & Bio-Materials development.
The Grain Science and Industry program is a center of excellence in research, education, and technology for all aspects of grain handling, storage, quality, processing and utilization. The Bioprocessing and Industrial Value Added Program (BIVAP) specializes in the development of biomaterials processing for food, feed, and industrial uses through research which is conducted in facilities specialized for extrusion, bioconversion/fermentation, biorefining, and thermal processing. The goal of the BIVAP program is to provide technical solutions to sustain agricultural-based companies using raw materials and help create new technologies that become commercialized as viable businesses.
The Bio-Processing & Industrial Value Added Program (BIVAP) consists of three key laboratories:
The Bio-Materials & Technology Lab (BTL) has the capability to perform design, formulation, processing, analyzing, and testing of various bio-based materials, and to convert agricultural products/by-products to value-added materials.
The Extrusion Center processes grain-based ingredients to develop food and feed applications. Services available include contact research in areas of extrusion and rheology, pilot and lab-scale production, and concept-testing of various extruded products and technical consulting on various extrusion-related problems. Extruders are used for processing food and feed products, including animal feed, specialty feeds for aquaculture, cereals, pasta, pet food, and snacks, as well as sterilization and cooking products to make them more digestible for animals and humans.
The Fermentation Center at BIVAP provides research, technical service, and education of fermentation technology. With a highly experienced staff and state-of-the-art facilities, the fermentation team has the resources and capabilities to develop processes for converting a variety of agricultural co-products and waste streams.