NCFIL Participates in SEUS/Japan Conference 

In late October, NC Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL) participated in a concurrent session of the SEUS/Japan Conference 2024 in Charlotte, which was attended by 518 delegates. 

The conference is formally known as the 46^th Annual Joint Meeting between the Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS/Japan) and its Japanese counterpart, the Japan/U.S. Southeast Association (Japan/USSE). 

The meeting serves to encourage investment from Japanese companies and fortify export networks for Southeastern companies selling goods to Japan. 

One concurrent session, New Approaches for Human Health in Life Sciences, took place at the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC), which is home to eight North Carolina university research teams. Over 70 participants visited labs and workforce training spaces at NCRC. 

The group visited the Appalachian State University Human Performance Lab, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College advanced manufacturing facility, UNC Chapel Hill’s Nutrition Research Institute and NCFIL. 

Operations Manager Joe Hildebrand conducted tours of NCFIL with four different groups and offered NCFIL-manufactured snacks to participants, including an apple cider slushie, spiced pear butter, and two kinds of protein bars. Beyond beverages and bars, NCFIL has an extensive pilot plant and food product development lab to answer many needs in the food and beverage industry.

“Our goal was to highlight NCFIL as a potential support partner for Japanese businesses looking to expand or develop in the southeastern U.S.,” said Hildebrand. 

CEO and President of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center Doug Edgeton offered Bill Aimutis, NCFIL executive director, some feedback following the event. 

“The Japanese visitors were impressed with the NCFIL facility and how the lab could possibly partner with some of their food industry companies.” Interested in partnering with NCFIL? Connect with us here.