GNT Group, Mierlo, the Netherlands, is investing more than 3 million euros in its research and development capabilities. By constructing new laboratory facilities at its headquarters, the company will almost double its capacity for quality control and product development, it says. Construction is in full progress and will be finished by early 2017.

Fiberstar Inc., River Falls, Wis., announced a student innovation contest entailing new and novel ways to use citrus fiber. Proposed applications can be from any food category, and the competition can be part of a class or an independent study project, the company says. These food concepts should be designed for scale up and global commercial distribution, taking into account market need, cost and ingredient quality, it adds. Submissions must include a final report with photographs of a prototype and respective formulations and procedures. Contest submissions are due no later than Dec. 15. A panel of judges will assess each entry using the following criteria: originality of concept, market need, ingredient commercial feasibility, technical feasibility and quality of the report.