SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Construction is underway in Salina on a new research center devoted to the science of moving and mixing bulk solids such as pellets, granules, powder and grain.

The Salina Journal reports the Kansas State University Bulk Solids Innovation Center will be among only a few in the world. It’s a partnership of the city, the university and two Salina-based companies that design and make equipment for handling bulk materials.

Speakers at Thursday’s groundbreaking for the 17,000-square-foot building said they’ve already heard interest from some of the nation’s largest manufacturers in having their problems researched at the center.

Such problems could occur at a bread factory that mixes flour, yeast, salt and sugar but is having trouble with the flow of sugar from a hopper.