Innophos puts cash into low sodium options

"We have several large de-bottlenecking and expansion projects going on,"​ Birkin Weith, business manager at the US-based ingredients processor, told Food Manufacture at the 2011 Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) trade show in Paris. "At Nashville, we have invested $5M (£3.2M) in a project that will increase capacity for all calcium phosphates, including Cal-Rise [sodium-free calcium leavening for bakers] by 5060%.​

"This continued investment is a statement of our commitment to the site. We completed this last month and we're now in the process of optimisation and familiarisation with the increased capacity."​

Weith said the increased production would focus on low- and no-sodium products, for which demand from food manufacturers was strong, especially in view of the drive to cut salt in products.

Weith said one of the emerging trends Innophos aimed to address was the shift to the use of wholegrains in bakery, which was creating new challenges for leavening systems.

Three new ingredients were launched by Innophos at FiE. Textur-Melt LS-50, which enables cheese processors to cut sodium levels in cheese, blends potassium and sodium phosphates and allows processors to reduce sodium content by 1535%. It boasts outstanding emulsifying properties for optimal texture and retains flavour profiles well.

"We see great potential for Textur-Melt LS-50 throughout Europe,"​ said Gunter Becker, European sales manager, "but particularly in the UK, France and Germany, where the use of cheese as an industrial and catering ingredient is especially high."​

SuperBind HB-CT is a new binding agent for low-sodium meat products, which preserves texture. And Curavis So-Lo93 is a reduced- sodium blend of potassium and sodium, which is designed to lower sodium in red meat and poultry products without compromising taste or appearance.

Innophos also announced its acquisition of Kelatron Corporation, which makes bioactive mineral nutrients, at the show. "Kelatron traditionally served the supplements market,"​ said Weith. "Now the whole food industry is interested."​ Kelatron also recently upgraded its manufacturing facilities and introduced a new line of premium minerals.

The acquisition would give Kelatron's products access to the European market and Innophos would aim to create ingredient blends combining its macronutrients with Kelatron's micronutrients, said Weith.