(PRESS RELEASE) ANKENY, IA — APC has launched its North American Innovation Kitchen, a pilotscale R&D space designed to help pet food companies evaluate plasma-based ingredients in real formulations before moving to full-scale production.
Located within APC’s research center and pilot plant in Iowa, the Innovation Kitchen gives pet food brands, co-manufacturers, and R&D teams a hands-on environment to test how ingredients perform under realistic processing conditions. The space was developed to address a growing industry need for applied validation as formulations become more complex and performance expectations increase.
The Innovation Kitchen supports a wide range of pet food formats, including wet foods, baked products, treats, toppers, and supplements. Teams can use the space to explore formulation changes, compare ingredient options, evaluate texture and structure, and assess how plasma functions across applications at different inclusion levels.
Rather than a traditional laboratory setting, the Innovation Kitchen is designed to mirror pet food manufacturing conditions while maintaining the flexibility of a pilot environment. Projects may be conducted on site, remotely with APC running trials, or through a hybrid collaboration model that includes virtual reviews and data sharing.
Plasma-based functional proteins are central to the Innovation Kitchen’s work. Plasma delivers nutrition, processing performance, and bioactive components in a single ingredient, allowing teams to evaluate its role in binding, texture, palatability, and overall product quality within finished recipes.
Confidentiality is built into every project. Customer formulas, processing parameters, and trial outcomes remain the customer’s property, reflecting APC’s long-standing approach as a trusted, family-owned partner with more than 40 years of experience in plasma-based functional proteins. Learn more about the Innovation Kitchen at https://apcpet.com/innovation-kitchen-na.
About APC
APC is a global leader in the manufacture and sales of blood-derived functional plasma proteins and red blood cell products, impacting billions of animals and plants each year. Founded in 1981, APC’s pioneering research into plasma-derived proteins has resulted in over 600 published journal articles and more than a dozen patents. With 500+ employees and 17 manufacturing facilities across eight countries, APC remains committed to supporting animal health and manufacturing efficiency. Focused on sustainability, APC develops high-performance, environmentally friendly solutions to improve animal health, reduce environmental impact, and create a more sustainable future for the global supply chain.