21 Oct 2009 --- The 2009 Frost & Sullivan European Digestive Health Ingredients Promising Ingredient of the Year Award is presented to Solvay S.A. (Solvay) for SOLACTIS, an innovative prebiotic ingredient in the European digestive health ingredients market. The improved performance of SOLACTIS offers significant added value for new yoghurts, biscuits, beverages and similar products.

"Positioned as a digestive health ingredient, SOLACTIS is the result of extensive and dedicated research conducted by Solvay," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sridhar Gajendran. "The company has successfully yielded verified reports on a range of health benefits offered by SOLACTIS and continues to conduct extensive research on expanding its beneficial health applications."

SOLACTIS is a nutritional ingredient based on GalactoFructose (GoF), a disaccharide which enables food processing industries to develop new products combining tasty recipes and health benefits such as intestinal health, mineral balance and management of metabolic syndrome. GalactoFructose SOLACTIS helps the development of intestinal flora and contributes to better transit. This particular claim has been validated by Belgian Authorities and is currently on study by the European Authorities. The product, moreover, increases stool weight and frequency.

"SOLACTIS's success lies in its compatibility with a wide range of food applications," remarks Gajendran. "It is one of the most viable digestive health ingredients which can be used in an extensive range of functional foods applications such as biscuits and rusks, food supplements, beverages, fruit preparation, infant nutrition, and yoghurts & milk fermented products. The animal feed industry is also another new field of exploration for this product."

SOLACTIS offers several competitive advantages. It is the first prebiotic ingredient used in infant SOLACTIS formulas. The main advantage of SOLACTIS is that the product is sourced from milk due to which it is suitable for use in infant formulas. It has been well received by infant formula manufacturers.

The product requires only a low recommended daily dose (RDD) to achieve a prebiotic effect. For instance, only 0.65 grams of GalactoFructose are required for prebiotic effect, whereas other prebiotics require consumption of around 5 grams per day.

Moreover, SOLACTIS is the most economical prebiotic ingredient available in the European market. The price of Solactis powder is relatively high compared to Inulin and FOS. However, the efficient dosage of SOLACTIS increases the economy of the product.

"As a result of rigorous research and marketing efforts, SOLACTIS has been established as a clinically proven and highly effective prebiotic ingredient with impressive consumer appeal and a receptive global market," concludes Gajendran. "SOLACTIS is characterised by distinct advantages over similar prebiotics and is fast gaining the status of the gold standard in the digestive health ingredients market."

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Promising Ingredient of the Year is presented to the company that has demonstrated excellence in new ingredient development and launch within its industry. The recipient company has shown innovation by launching a broad line of emerging products and technologies.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.