Tessenderlo Group Invests in Second Gelatin Factory in China

Tessenderlo Group considers gelatin activities to be one of its growth areas for the future. Furthermore, this investment fits with the strategy of the group to increase to 70% the share that specialities represent in the group’s turnover.

Oct 15 2010 --- Tessenderlo Group is investing in a new factory for the production of gelatin in Heilongjiang (north-east China) through a joint venture with the Yang family. Tessenderlo Group holds 86% and the Yang family 14% of the shares in the company. The production unit, which is already under construction, will be operational by mid-2011.

The new factory will employ more than 200 people and will concentrate primarily on gelatin for pharmaceutical applications.

Tessenderlo Group considers gelatin activities to be one of its growth areas for the future. Furthermore, this investment fits with the strategy of the group to increase to 70% the share that specialities represent in the group’s turnover.

Frank Coenen, CEO of Tessenderlo Group, explains: “This investment makes it possible for us to strengthen our position as the world’s third-largest gelatin supplier, and to increase our global presence in the most important gelatin markets. “

André Song, General Manager of PB Gelatins China, adds: “The availability of high-quality raw materials and the increased demand for high-quality gelatins in China support our decision.”

Tessenderlo Group’s gelatin activity (PB Gelatins – PB Leiner) produces gelatin and hydrolysates worldwide, primarily for the foodstuffs and pharmaceutical industries. The group occupies third place in the world gelatin sector, and has production units in Argentina, China, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom and the US. In mid-2011, Brazil will be added to that list, plus an extra location in China. 970 people currently work for the Tessenderlo Group Gelatin business unit.