Corbion tastes success with new Lenexa North American headquarters and innovation lab

Food ingredient research company Corbion has opened its new 58,000-square foot North American headquarters and advanced laboratory facility at 8250 Flint St. in Lenexa. The new $13 million facility consolidates the company's 200 employees into one regional operation.

Developed by Block Real Estate Services (BRES), the building is less than a mile from Corbion's longtime location at 79th and Quivira and marks the completion of Pine Ridge West Business Park, a flagship development for BRES.

"BRES has been excited to assist Corbion with the development of a new high-end facility in Pine Ridge Business Park,” said Kenneth G. Block, managing principal at BRES. “As a fellow industry leader, Corbion’s commitment to quality and innovation matches BRES’s commitment, which is visible in Corbion’s new facility and the nearby BRES apartment development of WaterSide Residences on Quivira.”

The facility includes a state-of-the-art bakery and demonstration kitchen, as well as meat research and application labs. Designed by Finkle + Williams, the building reflects the company's focus on sustainability through local sourcing, clean energy, centralized waste management, composting and recycling programs, according to a release.

The new headquarters and lab will inform the Dutch company's approach to helping create a safe and sustainable global food supply. Corbion has had a presence in the KC region for almost a century.

“We constantly encourage our employees and our customers to ‘Keep Creating,’ because the world urgently needs better solutions to the challenges we face,” said Andy Muller, Executive Vice President at Corbion. “The innovations we help create make a difference in the lives of people everywhere – people just like us. We try to merge our areas of scientific expertise with what we know and care about as consumers so we can develop solutions that make a meaningful impact for everyone, including ourselves and our families.”

Local vendors were chosen for the facility, including food services by Westport Flea Market and beverages by Messenger Coffee and Tea Market.

Block added that Corbion was a good partner for BRES because the companies are aligned both professionally and philanthropically.

“Corbion’s involvement in the community and focus on giving back align with BRES’s commitment to philanthropy which has made this an ideal partnership,” Block said.

Corbion employs a total of 350 in the region.

Corbion's new HQ project signals sweet success for Pine Ridge West Business Park

Food ingredient research company Corbion broke ground Wednesday on a new 58,000-square foot North American headquarters and advanced laboratory facility in Lenexa's Pine Ridge West Business Park, as the Dutch-owned company consolidates 200 employees into one regional operation. 

Developed by Block Real Estate Services, LLC, the building at Flint and 83rd streets will be located less than a mile from Corbion's existing Lenexa location at 79th and Quivira and will mark the completion of Pine Ridge West Business Park when it opens in August of 2018. 

“BRES is excited to be able to assist Corbion with their expansion at Pine Ridge Business Park,” said Kenneth G. Block, managing principal at BRES. “As a fellow industry leader, BRES admires Corbion’s commitment to quality and innovation because it reflects our own.”

Corbion's new facility will include research and application labs, a state-of-the-art bakery, as well as a new meat lab to support the company's growing role in the meat industry. The company formed in 2014 as a result of a merger between Caravan Ingredients and Purac and produces bio-based food ingredients-- such as enzymes for baked products and lactic acids-- to preserve consumer packaged beverages.

“Corbion’s tagline is ‘Keep Creating’ because we never stop looking for new and better ways to apply our technologies and experience to benefit our customers and the consumers who buy their products,” said Andy Muller, Corbion executive vice president.

“Each of us is a consumer, too, and we want that perspective to help shape everything we do. Combining that view with our technical expertise and our customers’ knowledge, we work side by side with them to create something better. It’s what we’re known for; it’s what we’re so good at. Our new facilities will support us in doing it even more.”