Jungbunzlauer ups citric acid, xanthum gum capacity

Tag : Gum Xanthan

The company, which has its headquarters in Basel, specialises innatural and nature identical ingredients. It was founded in 1867.

All of its four plants are to be recipients of the money earmarkedfor investment, extending the volumes of xanthan gum , citric acid , calcium citrate, and gluci-delta-lactone.

The aim, it says, is to be able to " better serve the growing needs of its customers" - as well as strengthen its position in the bio-ingredient sector.However the company would not give any further comment on therationale behind the move, or any precise indication of the levelof the capacity increases.

Citric acid

The company is planning to install new, cutting-edge equipment forfermentation, separation, and purification at its citric acid plantin Austria, which will also reduce consumption of resources andimprove environmental impact of the production.

Citric acid is used as a flavouring and a preservative, especiallyin the beverage sector. Demand has been increasing in recent yearsas a result of new applications and markets. Between 2004 and 2007consumption in Europe increase by around 15 per cent to 440,000tonnes.

According to a recent report from Leatherhead Food International,global demand was 1.4m tonnes in 2007.