Danisco Expands German Cultures Plant

LONDON - Oct 22/04 - SNS -- Danisco A/S will invest EUR 7 million to expand the capacity at its cultures plant in Niebüll, Germany.

"The investment is a natural consequence of Danisco's acquisition of Rhodia Food. With the EUR 7 million investment in Niebüll, we strengthen our performance in frozen pelletized cultures for the European market. This upgrade goes hand in hand with our ambition of gaining an even stronger foothold in the frozen cultures area, particularly for fresh dairy, to meet future growth in Europe," says Fabienne Saadane-Oaks, President, Danisco Cultures.

The investment project will be launched immediately and the new facilities are expected to be operational at the beginning of 2006.

Cultures are produced using raw milk and bacteria strains. Cultures are microorganisms used to acidify milk in the production of for instance yoghurt, butter and cheese.

Danisco's bacteria cultures facilitate the fermentation process that provides the characteristic taste and texture in for instance cheese, yoghurt and many other foods. Cultures' division headquarters are located in Aubervilliers, France.