DuPont's Probiotics Facility Opens in China

BEIJINGDuPont began operations at its new probiotic blending and packaging facility in China, representing the company's first step in packaging probiotics into ready-to-market formats.

In 2011, DuPont purchased a food processing plant north of Beijing and converted it into a probiotic blending and packaging site to serve customers globally, and more specifically, to China and the Asia Pacific region. The investment is part of a global multi-year capacity expansion program for cultures and probiotics in the United States, Europe and China.

Probiotics is a fast-growing segment of our business, and the industry is experiencing double-digit growth rates annually around the world and in China," said Fabienne Saadane-Oaks, vice president of health and protection, DuPont. As we continue to support the worlds growing population, this expansion allows us to custom blend and package high-quality probiotic products for our customers in the fast-growing dietary supplement and food and beverage industries close to our customers, where we want to be."

The new facility will allow customers to source ready-to-market probiotic formulations, including Danisco® HOWARU® premium and FloraFIT® probiotic brands.

Probiotic formulations offer improvements for digestive and immune health, as well as other well-being benefits for the dietary supplement, dairy and beverage markets. Probiotic cultures will be sourced from the companys North American and European sites, and the new facility in China will be able to custom blend the ingredients to meet the requirements of local customers. China is already a significant market for the YO-MIX® dairy cultures from the DuPont Danisco® range.

Recent research shows probiotics can help improve brain function, based on a study of women who regularly consumed yogurt products.