The joint product range, which includes the branded Quickferm, Quickferm Nutri and Quickmaxx products, aims to meet the specific needs of distilleries in Russia, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
SternEnzym, one of the Stern-Wywiol Gruppe companies will bring its enzyme experience to the mix, while the Lallemand subsidiary Lallemand Ethanol Technology will focus on specialty yeast ingredients.
According to the two companies, their “cooperative marketing agreement” will allow distillers in the target region to obtain some of their key ingredients – enzymes and yeasts – from a single source.
“The combined use of enzymes and yeasts permits simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. This process strategy reduces the risk of infection with micro-organisms and increases the alcohol yield,” said SternEnzym.
“To ensure that the products are optimally adjusted to each other and develop their full effect, the two companies have created a product range that optimally meets the requirements of distilleries in the target markets.”
The ingredient lines will include special yeasts, vitamin and mineral mixtures as yeast nutrients and antibiotics.
Market growth
The Eastern European market is expected to play a key role in the overall growth of spirits over the next few years.
A report published in 2008 by research group Global Industry Analysts (GIA) noted that emerging markets such as Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific would undergo continued aggressive expansion from distilled spirits makers as a result of high saturation in areas like the US, Western Europe and Japan.
According to the report, the value of the global spirits market by 2012 will be $315bn (€249bn).