24 November 2008 - Fragrances and flavorings manufacturer Symrise has entered into a strategic partnership with the American corporation First Choice Ingredients. The cooperative endeavor will ensure future growth of Symrise's product range in the dairy and cheese sector, particularly strengthening its expertise in enzyme-modified flavorings.
"The agreement which was signed in October is part of Symrise's consistent strategy of further developing important core competences in technologies," explains Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, Global President of the Flavor & Nutrition division at Symrise.
First Choice Ingredients has decades of experience in fermenting and developing enzyme-modified flavorings. At the company's site in Germantown, Wisconsin in the US, the Dairy Flavor Innovation teams jointly formed by Symrise and First Choice will work on the development and production of these flavorings at a location in the heart of the US dairy industry.
Enzyme-modified flavorings are not only a vital component in dairy products, they also play an important part in snacks, savory products and prepared foods. This partnership will thus have a positive effect on Symrise's portfolio in all of these segments. Symrise's goal is to channel the fermentation competences of First Choice Ingredients for other lipid- and protein-based substrates to continue developing its selection of flavorings from natural fermentation.
The collaborative effort is closely linked to the acquisition of the flavoring sector of Danish manufacturer Chr. Hansen earlier this year. First Choice Ingredients will produce some of the Chr. Hansen flavorings.
"Thanks to the combined strengths of Symrise, the acquisition of Chr. Hansen and First Choice Ingredients, we can offer our clients an even more extensive, authentic selection of natural dairy flavorings," states Dr. Matthias A. Güntert, President, Flavor & Nutrition, North America, Symrise. "Vertically integrating basic dairy raw materials and exceptional competences in the field of fermentation creates a unique selling point in terms of product qualities. We will keep expanding our portfolio, especially in the sector of enzyme-modified cheese, milk, cream and butter flavorings."
James P. Pekar, President, First Choice Ingredients, adds, "As a corporation with decades of experience in developing enzyme-modified flavorings, we see here a unique opportunity to merge our competences with Symrise and take the next step together towards a successful future."