Jungbunzlauer ups citric acid, xanthum gum capacity

According to Leatherhead, sales of hydrocolloids increase fromUS$635m in 2004 to $760m in 2007. Xanthan gum is the third biggesthydrocolloid seller, after locust bean gum and gum arabic.

There have been some predictions that prices for xanthan gum willincrease this year due to a shift in market conditions - namely,raw material costs, and the likelihood that Chinese material willbecome more expensive due to tax issues.

Danisco said last year that it did not believe the market situationjustifies reinvestment.

Both Danisco and market leader CP Kelco closed some xanthanproduction in 2007, in China and the UK respectively.

Calcium citrate

The German firm said it is seeing growing demand for its calciumcitrate, produced out of its plant in Ladenburg, Germany, as aresult of its use in the mineral fortification and supplementmarket.

Here, it did give an indication of the planned level of capacityincrease - it will double.

The mineral salts made in Ladenburg are derived from organic acids.

Glucono-delta-lactone

Used as a mild acidifier, sequestrant and leavening agent,Jungbunzlauer's Glucono-delta-lactone is produced at its plant inMarckolsheim, France.

While is has been stated that production will be increase, nospokesperson was prepared to answer questions about the company'sexperiences of the market for this ingredient.

Jungbunzlauer does not release any financial results.