DOST-ITDI’s Modular Multi-Industry Innovation Center is now open!

DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena, Undersecretary for R&D, Dr. Rowena Guevarra and ITDI Director Dr. Annabelle Briones, heads the DOST-ITDI group yesterday in the inauguration of the first ever Modular Multi-Industry Innovation Center (MMIC) located at the CED and MMIC Building at the Department of Science and Technology Complex in Taguig City.

With the establishment of this center, tagged as “Innohub sa Pinas,” the Philippines has joined the ranks of Canada, Malaysia, and Mexico, among the first countries to set up an Innovation Hub for advanced scale up of research on food and nutraceutical products.

DOST Sec. Fortunato Dela Pena, DOST-ITDI Director, Dr. Annabelle Briones, Usec Dr. Rowena Guevarra and Dr. Dianne

Present in the inauguration were DOST Officers and some key personnels, with only a few selected guests and media in compliance to Covid-19 protocols. The entire ceremony was made available virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live.

After the ribbon cutting and unveiling, the group toured the MMIC facilities.. Currently, it has 3 main production sections, namely:

  

1. Mixed Blend Powder 

2. Nut & Seed Oil

3. Liquids & Emulsions 

They were also able to check on some of the finished products like calamansi seed oil, pili pulp oil, coconut oil, dietary fiber powders & tablets made usually from peels, pulps and cores of calamansi, mango, pili, tomato and pineapple;  tomato sauce, basil sauce, mayonnaise with vco,  tomato toothpaste and mouthwash with calamansi seed oil, to name a few.

checking on some of the finished products

Main objective of MMIC by the way is to provide a safe, systematic and cohesive work environment or center wherein waste and manufacturing by-products used as raw materials,  can be converted efficiently to top-grade commercial products.  

MMIC opens the center for engagement to MSMEs, and other interested groups or individuals as a venue for developing new products, product equivalents, product variances, and product reintroductions, as well as, pilot capacity production. They only have to write a letter of intent addressed to DOST-ITDI MMIC.  The 4 modes of engagement offered by MMIC are as follows:

1. Use of facility and equipments 

2. Technical services 

3. Technology Transfer

4. Contract Research

After the facility tour, the program proper follows.

The event hosts...

DOST Secretary giving his congratulatory and inspirational message 

DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena

Dr. Annabelle Briones, DOST-ITDI Director

Dr. Rowena Guevarra, DOST Undersecretary for Research & Development

Engr. Norberto Ambagan, DOST-ITDI Food Processing Division Chief

Watch the full video of the inauguration here

For inquiries and more information about MMIC, visit DOST-ITDI updates