Decades before it became commonplace, Kemin scientists searched for sustainable, renewable and practical plant sources of important molecules.  By investing years in building a process for cultivating and extracting these molecules, Kemin delivers consistent, reliable, standardsized supplies of natural ingredients to the diverse group of industries we serve. 

Our Specialty Crop Improvement (SCI) team researches plants at the molecular level to identify specific molecules which can be used for active or functional benefits in personal care formulations. 

It starts with what we call “bioprospecting,” that’s a term for combing botanical research for plants that produce beneficial molecules.  Once the plant species is identified, Kemin scientists use conventional breeding techniques to develop thousands of variations of that plant.  Using data, the breeding process continuously repeats until we find a variation of the plant that is high in the desired molecule, yet still practical to grow agronomically.  Once the best version of a plant is identified, the challenge becomes growing it sustainably and cost-effectively.  With the plant identified and agronomic best practices in place, Kemin contracts with growers – often family farmers – across the United States and around the world to grow our specialty crops.  Kemin then tests all incoming plant materials that comes to our extraction facilities to ensure they are free from toxic compounds such as dioxins and pesticides.

Since 1996, Kemin has developed proprietary lines of rosemary to generate the raw material for a range of natural rosemary extract-based ingredients serving the food, health and personal care industries.  We have invested 15 years and millions of dollars into developing a sustainable, agronomic approach to growing rosemary.  Today, we contract with family farmers in Texas and New Mexico to grow a total of 1,000 acres of genetically identical rosemary plants.