CP Kelco Explores Options with Knowsley Xanthan Gum Facility

05/05/08 CP Kelco announced that it has completed the first phase of the previously announced closure of its Knowsley, UK xanthan gum production facility. “We want to thank our colleagues for their dedication and hard work through this transition,” said David Edgington, Vice President EMEA.

With more than 760m3 of fermentation capacity, the Knowsley plant has been a key supplier to the European and Japanese markets for food grade xanthan gum. “We have worked closely with our customers to provide a smooth transition to materials produced by our other facilities,” said Edgington.

CP Kelco is currently exploring a range of options for Knowsley plant, including a sale of the facility and alternative uses. “Knowsley is well-equipped for the production of high quality food and consumer fermentation products,” said James Tuan, General Manager, Kelco Biospecialties Group. “This asset has generated a great deal of interest and we are currently engaged in a process to select the best opportunity.”

Located just outside of Liverpool, the Knowsley facility was developed in 1978 by Tate & Lyle Plc. Kelco International acquired the plant in 1981 and upgraded the process to its proprietary batch fermentation and recovery technology.

CP Kelco is a leading global producer of specialty hydrocolloids headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It operates facilities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Part of the J.M. Huber Corporation since 2004, CP Kelco produces xanthan gum, pectin, carrageenan, and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) – the most widely-used cellulose gum in the world.