Wacker, the Munich-based chemical company, has begun operation at its expanded cyclodextrin facility in Eddyville (Iowa, USA). The new facility increases Wacker's capacity for alpha (ÃŽ±) and beta (ÃŽ²) cyclodextrins by 50% and doubles its capacity for gamma (ÃŽ³) cyclodextrins. Total investment in the facility was more than US$21m (Euro 15m).
The extra capacity is needed to meet the worldwide rise in cyclodextrin demand and to allow the company to consolidate its lead in this market. The expanded facility will enable Wacker to produce up to 7,500 metric tons of cyclodextrins a year. These biotech sugar molecules are used as stabilisers and excipients in the pharma, life science, cosmetics, food and agricultural sectors.
"Eddyville's expansion programme is a further step toward strengthening our position as global market leader for cyclodextrins," said Dr Gerhard Schmid, president of Wacker Fine Chemicals. "Thanks to the site's expansion we are now well positioned to not only reflect global market and demand trends, but also to meet growing customer needs."
Wacker's involvement in cyclodextrin-related r&d began in the early 1980s. The group has been producing cyclodextrins at its Eddyville site since 1999.
The investment was spent on a new by-product processing plant, which reduces the entire facility's steam consumption by 35%.