CSM Acquires Ownership of Lactic Acid Plant

CSM has acquired the remaining 50% stake of a lactic acid production facility in Nebraska, US, from its joint venture partner Cargill.

The facility had been a joint venture between CSM’s subsidiary Purac and Cargill’s North American Corn Milling Division since 1997.

The plant produces natural L-lactic acid trough a carbohydrate fermentation process for pH regulation along with shelf life extension and texture and taste enhancement for baked goods and other food categories.

Purac recently announced it had joined a consortium to develop a method to produce feedstock from cellulosic waste and speed up its programme to use non-food sources for its lactic acid fermentation processes.

The project is part of the Dutch biorefinery programme and is partially funded by the Dutch Government, CSM said.