P&G Licenses Green Tea Processing Technology

CINCINNATI--The Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) announced that Wuxi Green Power Bio-Products is its exclusive Chinese licensee for P&G's solvent-free green tea processing technology. In turn, Green Power appointed Amax Nutritional in City of Industry, Calif., as its exclusive distributor for the North American market.

According to P&G, its processing technology produces less bitter extracts with lighter color, better clarity and high concentrations of antioxidants. Under terms of the agreement, Green Power will use P&G's technology to manufacture extract for use by P&G and for sales in North America, Asia and Europe. Green Power said it expects the extraction operations to be running later this spring, opening up sales opportunities for Amax. "We are adding more manpower, space and equipment to handle the storage and shipping of the new product," said Kent Szeto, Amax president. "We are really excited about expanding the market for green tea to the entire range of food and beverage, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products."

In its announcement, P&G noted it plans to broadly license a significant portfolio of green tea product application, including dietary supplements, chewing gums and personal care products. It previously licensed its calcium citrate malate (CCM) technology in a similar fashion. "We believe our green tea technology portfolio shows as much promise for potential licensees and P&G as CCM, and will become used in mainstream products globally," said Norma McDonald, associate director for P&G's food and beverage licensing. "P&G obviously didn't invent green tea or the beneficial compounds it contains. We invented an economical way to make green tea taste and look great in a wide variety of products, while preserving its benefits."