Pascal Ronfard told us the undisclosed deal had been 1.5 years in the making and became a passion for him as he perceived that Solactis, “was not big enough to attract the attention it deserved in Solvay.”
“It was a global discussion that took time to develop but one thing that is key is that we have an ongoing commitment to natural and sustainable development.”
Ronfard funded the buy-out with privately generated funds.
“By being independent we will be more adaptable and flexible,” Ronfard relayed, noting he was hiring and that company had set a target of €2.5m in revenue for 2014.
He said the new entity, of which he is founder and president, will remain in Paris.
Solactis is also the name of the businesses’ primary galactofructose (lactulose) ingredient that has won approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for contributing, “to a reduction in intestinal transit time” when consumed at a level of 10g per day.
Galactofructose (lactulose) is a prebiotic but the effect in this case is not prebiotic in nature and so it cannot be considered the EU’s first prebiotic claim.
Solactis has won a prebiotic claim in South Korea.
It has a galactofructose (lactulose) version for animal feed called Vitaloa.
In a statement Ronfard said the company would continue to develop, “research partnerships with food groups, academic laboratories, as well as with other biotech firms in targeted health nutritional areas such as digestive health, transit regulation and immunity.”