Sensus, which produces the Frutafit and Frutalose inulin brands, begun co-operation with Biotec in Argentina at the beginning of the month. It has also joined forces with F.H. Engel, a leading ingredient distributor in Chile.
Pieter Spanjers, sales manager at Sensus, said:"The expansion into this region fits into our global strategy and responds to the increasing demand for functional foods and light products in this region."
"Biotec and F.H. Engel are both leading suppliers of products and services to the Argentinean and Chilean market respectively. Joining forces means we will be closer to our customers."
Sensus will train a team of Biotec specialists to provide local support to its Argentina customers. Isaac Widuczynski, Biotec's president, said the co-operation with Sensus would boost innovative business opportunities in the country.
Founder and chairman of the Chilean firm, F. Herbert Engel, said the agreement would represent a challenge to expand functional and nutraceutical products for the food industry in the region but added that it "clearly fits into the consumers growing interest in a healthy lifestyle".
Sensus supplies its food ingredients to food and beverage makers in over 45 countries. Many applications of inulin are related to its properties as a soluble, prebiotic fibre: in developing fibre-enriched and low carbohydrate foods, improving calcium uptake in the body and in promoting a healthy micro-flora and immune function in the colon.
Prebiotic products, still in development stage, are currently worth €87 million in Europe, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan. But while the market is currently restricted to a handful of companies (three companies hold 70 per cent of the market share), new entrants are expected as awareness grows and consumers become increasingly interested in gut health. Annual growth of 9.7 per cent is forecast to bring the European fructan market up to €179.7 million by 2010.
Contact Pieter Spanjers for more information on the Sensus products.