Center for Crops Utilization Research

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(515) 294-0160 or ccur@iastate.edu.

CCUR Industry Assistance Programs

CCUR's pilot plants provide commercial enterprises a cost-effective way to test new products and processes without interrupting their usual production regimens. CCUR's involvement can take an number of forms--- from simple equipment rental, through technical assistance with equipment usage, through cooperative research contracts or proprietary agreements. Equipment rental and support staff payment can take a number of forms including equipment donation and in-kind services. Firms have contracted with CCUR for technical services that include: grain quality analysis, starch and protein separation and anlaysis, oil extraction, spray or tray drying, centrifugation, extrusion, test kitchen food preparation, sensory analysis, and a host of related activities.

CCUR Industry Incubator Program

CCUR's pilot plants provide commercial enterprises a cost-effective way to test new products and processes without interrupting their own full-scale operations. CCUR assists small businesses through its limited small business incubator program. Resident businesses are accommodated as space becomes available for relatively short periods (up to 2 years) to network with faculty and access expertise and other services. These companies are assisted so that they can develop successful, permanent off-site operations.

A Success Story

ExSeed Genetics LLC benefited from access to CCUR labs and pilot plants, the Iowa State library and interactions with faculty. These services helped ExSeed grow from 3 employees to 50 before becoming a subsidiary of BASF Plant Science.