According to the firm, a 15%-20% increase in production capacity will become available in Q4 2019, in a continuation of investment earmarked for the plant.
The vitamin B2 capacity expansion focuses on plant adaption, including equipment, improvements in fermentation technologies, automation and efficiency.
“We have made huge progress in consolidating and expanding our position in water-soluble B vitamins, specifically B2, in particular through technological advances in this area,” a spokesperson for DSM said.
“We are constantly investing in the expansion and modernization of existing plants, to increase capacity and to deliver best-in-class tailor made solutions for our customers. With annual organic growth of 5%, many plants are reaching maximum capacity.”
Multivitamin and complex preparations
As part of its human and animal nutrition & health solutions portfolio, DSM supplies vitamin B2 as an application-based formulation or as premix ingredient to the food, feed, pharma and dietary supplements markets.
Vitamin B2 is one of the most widely distributed water-soluble vitamins available as oral preparations, as a standalone, or, most commonly, in multivitamin and vitamin B-complex preparations and even as an injectable solution.
It is often added to flour and bakery products and beverages to compensate for losses during processing. It is also used to enrich milk, breakfast cereals and dietetic products.
“Essentially, the nutrition business is experiencing strong global growth alongside the macro trends in nutrition and health,” said DSM.
“Vitamins, carotenoids, food supplements and unsaturated fatty acids are in demand. Demand is increasing worldwide – not least due to the increasing and ageing world population, a health conscious life style and increasing demand for sustainable and healthy feed solutions.”
Expansion plans
The facility in Grenzach has a history of more than 120 years and is now the competence centre for the production of the water-soluble vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin) and B6 (pyridoxine) as well as the fat-soluble vitamin D3. Production of vitamin B2 at the facility started in the 1960s.
Grenzach’s expansion closely follows DSM’s decision last month to build a facility, which they claim is the industry’s only premix manufacturing plant for the maternal and infant nutrition market.
The facility in Buk, Poland, offers improved operational capabilities, advanced mixing technology, to aid development of complex, and tailored maternal and infant nutrition solutions for customers.