"Increasing quality demands and production volumes at our customers are requiring highest hygienic and quality standards at the ingredient suppliers end. In order to reach our ambitious goals and provide our customers with innovative and most optimal solutions, it is necessary to keep upgrading and adjusting our facilities on a continuous basis," says Thomas Reiner, Country Manager for Germany.

The global market for meat cultures is rapidly expanding and more customers mean higher demands and, thus, a need for increased production capacity.

Chr. Hansen is the worldwide market leader within bacteria cultures and the ambitions continue to be set on high. The expansion at the Pohlheim-based culture production site stands to prove that Chr. Hansen means serious business in fast changing industries.

"We have an obligation to ensure that our customers get optimal product solutions, security of supply as well as that we are ahead with our quality standards. This is why we strive to keep our focus on development and innovation," Mr. Reiner emphasizes.

State-of-the-art freeze drier

The fermentation line and the laboratories have already been upgraded, signaling the completion of a project called "Upgrade of downstream". This ensures better utilization capacity in fermentation bringing the Pohlheim site up on a world-class level.

Among the latest initiatives is the expansion of the drying and packaging facilities that includes, among other things, the installation of a new freeze drier.

"Our new freeze drier plant is a state-of-the-art facility. It not only serves to optimize the drying process, it also allows adjusting the process to the requirement of each strain we are producing, to the individual need. The new drying facility is designed for easy cleaning, user friendliness to ensure, that we get maximum safety," explains Helmut Scheibler, plant manager of the Pohlheim site.

Also a part of the Animal Health & Nutrition production will now be based out of Pohlheim. The production of silage inoculants has moved from North America to Pohlheim in order to focus resources and be closer to the growing number of European customers.

Streamlining the resources

The expansion at Polhheim also serves the need to streamline the resources creating a centre of excellence within the area of meat culture production.

"We predict a double-digit annual market growth for meat cultures with a focus on new and improved cultures for the dried fermented meat segment and new solutions within the area of food safety," says Eva Stenby, Global Marketing Manager.

"It is important that we at all times comply with the increasingly demanding purity specifications," she continues. "In order to achieve this goal, it's imperative that we streamline our resources. With the upgrade of the Pohlheim facilities we will obtain a hotspot where know-how and the best-in-class technology converge."

Silage moves to Pohlheim

As mentioned, a considerable part of the culture production for the Animal Health and Nutrition segment will now also be based in Pohlheim.

Silage inoculants enhance the nutritive value of silage that is the most economical way of nutrient preservation for dairy cows. The silage inoculants business is a growing area and a major part of Chr. Hansen’s Animal Health & Nutrition business.

"Pohlheim is worldwide the first production site of silage inoculants that has obtained FAMI-QS certification. Providing the highest quality is an inevitable pre-requisite of success in the market. Chr. Hansen’s Biomax product range is well known for its quality and well-documented efficacy," says Peter Kürti, Sales and Marketing Director. He continues:

"The new Pohlheim production facility will enable us to offer highest quality product with consistent return on investment for our customer which is necessary in order to maintain our market leader position in the silage inoculants market."

ThePigSite News Desk