LDC to add glcyerine refining in Indonesia

Global agribusiness giant Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) is set to add glycerine refining capabilities to its complex in Lampung, Indonesia, as part of an expansion of the facilities.

The expansion of the plant was part of the group’s strategic plans to expand downstream and diversify revenue through value-added products, LDC said on 14 July.

Against a backdrop of growing global demand for refined glycerine – with Indonesia expected to be a production hub – the company said the new facilities in Lampung would complement its

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ESTONIA: Biotechnology start-up ÄIO has teamed up with wood processing company Fibenol to produce high-value microbial oils.

Fibenol converts wood residues into lignin and two types of sugar, while ÄIO is focused on developing alternatives to animal fats and palm oil.

Traditionally, C6 sugars – such as glucose – were consumed by most microbes, while hemicellulose-derived C5 sugars – such as xylose –could be challenging to use, Fibenol said.

However, by using ÄIO’s technology, Fibenol could now convert C5 sugars into high-value nutrient-rich oils and fatty acids for the oleochemical industry to make food, feed and cosmetics ingredients, Fibenol project manager Karl Peebo said on 18 May.

existing glycerine refining activities in the USA (Claypool, Indiana) and Germany (Wittenberg), completing the group’s LDC’s glycerine offering to cover all major feedstocks.

As well as strengthening the group’s position in the Indonesian market, LDC head of South & Southeast Asia Rubens Marques said the development “also further reinforces our capacity to process, package and distribute value-added products that respond to evolving market and consumer trends, including growing demand for healthy, plant-based foods and ingredients”.

Construction work was expected to begin later this year and the new plant would be equipped to manufacture USP grade glycerine and offer various food grade packaging options, LDC said.

The expansion also included the addition of edible oil packaging capabilities.

LDC said on its website that the production of glycerine was an important part of its rapeseed, soyabean and palm oil operations, through which it produced three types of glycerine – crude, yellow and refined – with a host of applications in the food, personal care, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.