Yesterday we reported on a new production plant by CP Kelco to ensure its position as a leader in hydrocolloids, today the same company announced that it plans to increase pectin capacity at its Skensved, Denmark and Limeira, Brazil facilities.
Expansions are due for completion in mid-2003 and 2005, respectively.
"Our investments to expand pectin capacity represent CP Kelco's dedication to producing the highest performing products on the market and having them available when our customers need them," said Martin Sapone, pectin business director. Adding that the company was constantly looking for ways to improve product performance and bring its "industry-leading technology innovation to the marketplace."
CP Kelco's investment in Skensved, due for completion mid-year, aims to achieve a 15 per cent increase in overall capacity of Low Methoxyl Amidated (LMA) speciality pectin.
In contrast, focus of the company's investment in the Brazilian facility is on High Methoxyl (HM) pectin. When the project wraps up in 2005, the company expects to at least double HM capacity.
"Our capacity expansion inLimeira positions us to serve the high growth regions of our HM business, namely Eastern Europe and Asia."
According to Jan Bogers, CP Kelco vice president, manufacturing, Europe, Latin America and Asia, these expansions are part of an overall plan to improve pectin sourcing flexibility. "We remain committed to investing in our pectin business toimprove technology and production efficiency in our Limeira, Grossenbrode (Germany) and Skensved plants," he commented this week.