MDG News and Updates

At MDG, we take pride in the Bacillus we manufacture and grow for our customers. We use only pure Bacillus cultures to produce single-strain tanks and can blend and package in-house, creating a seamless process that saves our partners time and money. But what really sets MDG apart is our trusted custom fermentation process. Everyone we work with has different needs, but the steps we go through to create a solution stay the same. Let’s see why MDG’s microbial custom fermentation process stands above the rest. MDG’s Custom Bacillus Fermentation Capabilities Isolation Isolating and testing a strain for purity is important to ensure what the customer sent is what we have in our laboratory before it is added to the optimization workflow. The process involves streaking customer strains to assess their purity, then growing them to confirm with the customer that the strain matches their original submission. This way, we know that the final product is exactly what the customer intended. Optimization Optimization in the fermentation process is crucial for maximizing efficiency, increasing product yield, and ensuring consistent quality. Fine-tuning parameters such as nutrient levels, temperature, and pH enhances the performance of Bacillus strains, leading to more cost-effective production and […]

Since the completion of our Oak Creek facility in the fall of 2022, we have steadily grown our capacities and capabilities as a trusted provider of Bacillus-based solutions. We are excited to announce that our growth has given us the opportunity to expand our footprint once more in the city of Franklin, WI.  “With the rapid evolution of biotech solutions to solve modern day problems, there is a growing need for fermentation and drying capabilities of larger capacities,” says Mike King, Chief Executive Officer of MDG.  Our new 117,000-square-foot facility will provide us with the necessary space to further our fermentation, freeze drying, and spray drying capabilities. This will occur in four phases, and once completed, we will have a total annual fermentation capacity of 22 million liters across multiple facilities. Our new space will allow us to serve customers even more effectively as we work toward our mission to Feed, Clean, Save the World.  “With this expansion, we are continuing to answer the call for sustainable solutions to the world’s largest problems,” says Sona Son, MDG’s Chief Operating Officer. “Adding this new facility’s fermentation and drying capacity will increase our capability to grow and manufacture environmentally-safer microbial products.”   We’re […]

When your wastewater customers are facing challenges, you want a partner with proven success and extensive expertise in wastewater treatment. At Microbial Discovery Group, we can be that partner. MDG stands as a leading expert in bioaugmentation, holding in-field and in-house expertise in tackling the challenges of wastewater systems. With a strong foundation in microbial science and a track record of proven success, our microbiologists, technical support staff, and account managers provide innovative, sustainable solutions and programs that enhance wastewater treatment processes and offer long-term benefits. MDG’s In-Field Bioaugmentation Expertise We understand the issues that wastewater treatment facilities face because our technical support team is constantly in the field, identifying unique solutions for each customer. We take a hands-on approach with our training and educational programs, and we prioritize your ability to work with real people to help you solve problems. This allows us to adapt to changing conditions in the field and set you on the path to success. MDG’s In-House Bioaugmentation Expertise Our in-field success is also driven by extensive research and development taking place at our four in-house labs. At MDG, we are dedicated to delivering effective, innovative, and sustainable microbial solutions to mitigate your wastewater customers’ […]

Spring’s warmer weather and longer days are always welcome after a cold winter, but for septic tank owners and operators, this seasonal transition can bring a significant problem: odors. Now that spring thaw has occurred and the heat of summer is setting in, septic tanks can emit unpleasant odors, and your customers need to find a solution. MDG is here to be your partner in creating that solution, providing you with the education, tools, and hands-on support you need to formulate an effective, microbial-based product that combats septic tank odors due to spring thaw. Odors Created During Spring Thaw After spring thaw, septic tank owners and operators may notice new or more intense odors than normal. This is because: Bacteria resume activity When temperatures get colder in the winter, the bacteria that break down waste in the septic tank may become less active or dormant. When the system starts to warm, these native bacteria become active again and resume the process of breaking down waste, which can produce odors. Compacted snow and ice melt Melting snow and ice can soak into the ground around the septic tank and drain field, which might impede the system’s ability to properly drain and […]

As a Bacillus manufacturer, we work to grow our partners’ pure single-strain Bacillus cultures and scale the process so that they receive exactly what they need. Our success in the commercialization of microbial solutions comes from our trusted process and our commitment to quality and partnership, so that the transition from concept to commercial is not just a possibility, but a proven outcome. The Growth of Bacillus At the heart of our success is a deep understanding of microbials and their potential in multiple applications. The initial step in our process is optimizing the Bacillus culture for maximum growth. We measure a strain’s growth in a variety of media, ultimately landing on the one best suited for highest yield and setting the stage for success throughout the rest of the commercialization process. A Partnership for Progress At MDG, we put our partners first. When we grow your Bacillus culture, we work closely with you to refine and improve processes to ensure you’re receiving the strain and yield you’re aiming for. To make your journey to market successful, an active and involved partnership is key. We’ve seen this collaborative effort lead to efficiency and proven marketplace success for our customers. Custom […]

Every year, we participate in trade shows and exhibitions around the globe, showcasing our innovative microbial solutions in the wastewater industry. This year, we will be attending the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress & Exhibition from August 11–15 in Toronto, Canada. This event offers MDG a platform to present our Bacillus strains, which are on the Canadian Domestic Substance List (DSL), highlighting the compliance and suitability for use in Canadian water management and environmental applications. About the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition is a premier global event focused on water management and sustainability. The event gathers experts, decision-makers, and innovators to discuss solutions for water-related challenges. Our Role MDG partners with distributors and manufacturers in the wastewater treatment market to help them increase their sales and take their businesses to new heights with our unique Biotifx® platform. Focusing on bioaugmentation treatment, we offer our partners the education, tools, and hands-on support they need to succeed across applications. Find MDG at Booth #736—if you see us, stop by and say hi! While attending the event, we’re looking to connect with industry leaders, explore new collaborations, and promote our sustainable microbial solutions […]

I love the scene in City Slickers where Jack Palance tells Billy Crystal “the secret to life is finding that ONE thing.” Billy asks, “What is that ONE thing?” Jack smiles and says “that’s what you have to find out!” Then Billy has to begin his odyssey to find that ONE thing in his life. Treating wastewater, optimizing fermentations or solving bioremediation applications is a similar odyssey. We often find adding microbes alone is not enough? There is usually something missing, often just ONE thing missing. You may ask “what is that ONE thing?” I bet you can guess what I’m going to say next? “That’s for you to find out.” Different from the movie, we aren’t going to pass away and leave you to struggle by yourself. We are here to help you find that ONE missing thing, which is usually different at each site. Sometimes the ONE thing missing is neutral pH, alkalinity, nitrogen, phosphorus, folic acid, cobalt (toxic), or a long list of many other ONE things. In some cases, such as bioremediation or my lawn this summer, the missing piece is water. They key to all of this is not to experiment on the site, but […]

It is an exciting day signing a multi-year fermentation contract! After the ink dries and celebrations conclude, I’ve learned it’s time to quickly review both redundancy and contingency plans for worst case scenarios. This is how we can guarantee on-time delivery. During the planning of our current expansion, I was reminded again of the importance of redundancy in safeguarding against setbacks. I had received a call from another fermentation company who had recently lost one of their fermentors, learning it would be down for an extended amount of time. What a tough situation.  At that moment, we unfortunately couldn’t help, but it opened my eyes to the vulnerability of many fermentation companies. Redundancy is very important!  With our current expansion, we had to think in terms of two of everything. If one piece of equipment breaks, you can still move forward while you are dealing with fixing the problem. As a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few that capture MDG’s redundancy focus. Basically, we have at least two fermentors, centrifuges, freeze dryers, sterilizers, production freezers, boilers, air compressors and -80 C freezers.  We also have a backup generator and a second building that stores our cultures […]

As a follow up to the article “The Key Drivers Behind MDG’s Current Expansion,” I’d like to take this opportunity to talk more extensively about the expanding Bacillus market. Previously, I eluded that many of the current market opportunities were due to the increased demand across multiple industries. In particular, the following four main areas are what prompted Microbial Discovery Group’s (MDG) fermentation expansion: Antibiotic alternatives Human probiotics usage Continued Growth in the Biopesticide and Biofertilizer Industries Emerging markets Antibiotic Alternatives Due to the numerous consequences involved with their usage, recent regulations and consumer pressures have prompted a reduction in antibiotic use on animals. Meat and poultry companies across the globe recognize the consumers’ desire for safe products that feed themselves and their families. This has resulted in the industry taking a hard look into environmentally friendly methods that improve gut health, as well as improve feed conversion. Acidifiers, yeast feed additives, Lactobacillus and Bacillus have all benefited greatly from the reduction of antibiotic usage. Domestically, the poultry industry has lead the charge on antibiotic reductions and have put pressure on the swine, dairy and beef markets to follow suit. With the popularity of antibiotic alternatives in animal feed on the rise, we have seen a rapid increase […]

With our growing population, it has become increasingly important to improve upon and advance current waste management technologies. In industrial and consumer markets, biological products are often selected as an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient option. These have the capabilities of removing both chemical and biological contaminants, as well as accelerating the breakdown of other types of substrates. Products including both microbial inoculants and enzyme concentrates are commonly used in a variety of industrial and household applications. For example, because of their ability to remove unwanted organic matter build up and removal of biofilms, these kinds of products are currently being sold for drain and grease trap applications. In the landfill and waste management industry, both enzymes and bacteria can be used to break down complex waste particles and improve soil/water quality. However, the ways in which enzymes and bacteria work are significantly different. Using cutting edge techniques, Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) is researching both enzyme and microbial degradation to optimize approaches to break down plastic bags in landfills. Enzymes: Fast and Highly Specific Enzymes are non-living proteins produced by organisms such as bacteria, fungi, plants and higher life forms. These proteins help catalyze chemical reactions, working in conjunction with substrates. Enzymes function […]