22 March 2021- Corbion announced this month a multi-faceted initiative to substantially increase its capacity for producing lactic acid and lactic-acid derivatives ahead of its previously announced major expansion in Thailand scheduled for 2023. The global initiative, involving capital expenditures at four existing Corbion facilities to maximize efficiencies and leverage synergies, is expected to produce a combined additional output roughly equivalent to a new production site without actually having to build one, claims the company.
Projects at Corbion's production sites in Gorinchem (Netherlands), Rayong (Thailand), Campos (Brazil) and Montmeló (Spain), come on the heels of other recently announced capacity expansion efforts in Blair (Nebraska), but in advance of the construction of an entirely new lactic acid plant at the company’s existing site in Rayong (Thailand). All of the sites involved in the capacity expansion efforts contribute to Corbion's offerings for the animal health industry, the company confirmed to Feedinfo today.
“Because we supply lactic acid-based products to manufacturers in multiple industries, it's difficult to say specifically which of our animal nutrition products will see a bigger production increase than others. This initiative is about meeting the needs of our customers as those needs increase; we're responding to enable their growth where they see opportunities to grow. Those opportunities will vary by industry, and by product within each of those industries. Our job is to supply solutions where they can deliver the greatest value … for our customers and for Corbion,” stated a company spokesperson.
The growth in demand for the company’s products—which include organic acids and other gut health products which target pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus suis and Staphylococcus— is tied in with the global industry’s shift away from antibiotics and towards alternative gut health solutions. “Lactic acid products are growing even faster than the [animal nutrition] industry overall. Beyond expanding our capacity for producing lactic acid, Corbion is also investing to develop our knowledge and capabilities to help bring other high-value sustainable solutions to help producers meet the world's growing need for quality animal protein.”
