International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) officials have said little more about the TAURA expansion in Cedar Rapids, other than confirming it’s expected to be completed by late 2026.
Company officials say the expansion will bring a host of new opportunities for the company and its Cedar Rapids operations.
“Our facility has been a cornerstone to IFF operations, producing enzymes used in food, household and personal care, animal nutrition, products and biofuels,” plant manager Joe Kilburg said. “This expansion will further enhance our capabilities and allow us to focus on TAURA by IFF’s real fruit ingredients manufactured in the U.S.”
Mr. Kilburg also noted that Cedar Rapids offers “excellent infrastructure and connectivity” for the company’s operations as a whole.
“The city serves as a vital hub for trade and commerce within the U.S.,” he said, “and our proximity to our customers will enhance our supply chain efficiencies.”
“I’m over the moon excited about this,” said John Luebbers, global commercial lead for TAURA by IFF. “Cedar Rapids is just the perfect location for us – strategically located, great supply chain efficiencies. It’s going to enhance the deliveries to our North American customers by months. The great support that we’ve had from the community, and our partners, is really accelerating our timeline.”
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said the project fits well with the city’s development culture.
“We know that this is going to bring cutting-edge facilities here, and that’s really a part of who we are in Cedar Rapids,” she said. “We are about innovation, entrepreneurs, helping to meet the needs of growing consumers, wherever they may be. And certainly when we talk about healthy snack options, we’re proud to be a part of your story here … This reinforces who we are in Cedar Rapids. We are a great place to build, to grow and to lead in innovation.”
Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, expounded further on that theme.
“This is, quite frankly, a strategic global expansion right here in Cedar Rapids, a hub for food and bioscience innovation,” Ms. Durham said.
This update is a part of the CBJ’s Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up from the staff of the Corridor Business Journal is a compilation of the year’s most noteworthy articles and projects, as told through stories that appeared in the bi-weekly issues of the CBJ.
Read the accompanying story, published in April of 2025:
TAURA expansion at IFF Cedar Rapids facility is ‘significant milestone’
