Biospringer North America Corp., a producer of flavor bases and flavor building blocks, has announced plans to invest $29 million to expand its yeast extract production plant in Cedar Rapids.

The expansion, which includes an $11.1 million, 20,000-square-foot building expansion and $17.9 million for machinery and equipment, reflects the growing market trend for natural origin ingredients derived from fermentation, Biospringer said.

“Our wide range of yeast ingredients are essential in constructing taste for multiple applications in the food industry including soups, sauces, meats and meat analogs, snack seasonings and sweet recipes,” Biospringer said. “In addition to taste building, Biospringer is following key market trends such as consumers’ concerns for healthier and organic foods, addressing this by assisting clients to create clean label products with the use of our yeast-based ingredients.”

Biospringer opened the Cedar Rapids plant in 2010.