Officials gathered to celebrate a one-of-a kind facility that is now operating in Salina. A purple ribbon was cut to celebrate the official grand opening of the  Kansas State University Bulk Solids Innovation Center.

The two-story, 13,000-square-foot facility is the only one of its kind in North America. It will be used to study the science and understanding of bulk solids materials handling — loose, dry commodities like sugar, minerals, pigments and recycled plastics that account for more than 80 percent of items transported around the world.

The innovation center houses six laboratories for university and industry-sponsored research; training and education, conference and lecture rooms; a material properties test lab; and a full-scale bulk solids test bay.

Kansas State University is the key tenant in the center, while two local companies, Coperion K-Tron Salina and Vortex Valves, supplement the facility by serving as anchor occupants.

University-level courses associated with bulk solids as well as professional development courses for industry professionals will be taught onsite, and students will assist with research projects as outside companies partner with the center to conduct product testing. In addition, it complements the College of Agriculture’s Bulk Solids and Particle Technology Lab and program housed on the Manhattan campus.

The center is a project of Kansas State University with partners the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Salina Economic Development Corporation, U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, the state of Kansas and the city of Salina. The university will be the key tenant while two local companies, Coperion K-Tron Salina and Vortex Valves, will supplement the facility by serving as anchor occupants.