Devro said this week it has acquired control of Biofilm, a 50/50 joint venture between itself and partner Westone Products created in 2003. Devro will now hold a 90 per cent slice of the venture.
Biofilm was created to develop products based on dissolvable thin film technology used to deliver ingredients, such as breath strips.
"A commitment to this edible film technology will broaden the base of our business, that currently has a 55 per cent market share of collagen casings," Devro's CEO Dr Graeme Alexander tells FoodNavigator.com.
The technology involves a fast dissolving substrate that can incorporate ingredients into its matrix which are dissolved when eaten.
While still at the development stage, the company has seen interest from the retail segment to use the technology in breath freshener strips.
Biofilm's original test facility in Devro's Moodiesburn plant, has since been upgraded to a pilot production unit near to Glasgow in Scotland.
"This facility will be capable of supplying commercial volumes of products as the business develops," said Devro, that posted revenues of £45 million last year.
Under the latest agreement Devro did not received any financial consideration, but in exchange has 'released Westone Products from certain contingent indemnity obligations and all future financial commitments'.