Page 160 - CW E-Magazine (18-6-2024)

News from Abroad

GREEN INGREDIENT
UK’s Sun Bear Biofuture working on palm oil

alternative

UK’s Sun Bear Biofuture has is as it is 50% saturated and therefore acts years, with a compound annual growth
seeking to offer an alternative palm much more like butter than other vege- rate (CAGR) of 4.9% between 2023
oil, a commodity with strong links to table oils. This means that it is very and 2030, according to Vantage Mar-
deforestation. difficult to replace. What we’re produc- ket Research. The growth of the market
ing is something at lab scale that’s 50 means that more space will be needed
The start-up named after an East Asian percent saturated. The challenge for us to produce palm oil, which risks lead-
bear whose habitat is being destroyed by then is to scale this up,” he noted. ing to more deforestation.
deforestation, is offering a more sustain-
able alternative developed via fermenta- The company is currently working “If you’re going to see that growth,
tion of agricultural by-streams, but with with and receiving research funding there’s no other place you could put it
similar functional properties. from AberInnovation, a research faci- than where the tropical rainforests are
lity based at Aberystwyth University, right now,” said Mr. Williams. There is
Palm oil comes in two forms: crude Wales, to test the fermentation process not enough sustainably produced palm
palm oil (which is pressed from the fruit) using larger-scale fermenters. The goal oil to fuel this level of growth. Instead,
and refined palm oil (which is used as an is to expand further, with even larger palm oil substitutes such as Sun Bear
ingredient). Sun Bear Biofuture’s CTO fermenters. Biofuture can absorb some of the
Mr. Ben Williams said the company is demand. We want to capture some of
aiming to replicate the latter. “This oil is The palm oil sector is expected to that growth and make sure it doesn’t go
quite unique in its functional properties grow significantly over the next few into deforestation,” he added.

Symrise launches new facility in Lagos

The Nigerian subsidiary of German
flavours, fragrance, and cosmetic ingre-
dients manufacturer, Symrise, recently
unveiled its newly upgraded applica-
tion laboratories in Lagos, Nigeria.

According to Symrise Nigeria,
the company bases its decision on the
fact that they consider Nigeria central
to their growth and the launch pad to
better value delivery to its consumers in
the region. Ms. Iyabo Ogunwole, senior
key account manager on taste, nutrition,
and health, said the new facility would
help the company expand its operations
within and around the West Coast.
maintaining and running our operations organisations who believe in the coun-
Speaking about the company’s in the country. Nigeria represents a try’s future.” The size of the personal
activities in Nigeria, Mr. Lilian Regnier, pathway to growth for us in the Central, care segment in Nigeria covers an esti-
President, Symrise Europe, Africa, East and West African regions and we mated $1-bn market, with SMEs gain-
Middle East said, “Symrise Nigeria feel confident that the economic trajec- ing an incremental market share as it
has operated in the country for over 30 tory of the country will serve as a net accounts for over 94% of businesses in
years. We have invested in building, positive to global manufacturers and the country, he added.

160 Chemical Weekly June 18, 2024

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