LANXESS advances healthier food and beverage solutions across Asia-Pacific

German specialty chemicals company LANXESS is responding to a growing demand for natural and safe preservatives in the food and beverage industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The company offers practical solutions to meet these emerging needs.

The beverage industry faces the challenge of developing new types of drinks with added health benefits, while maintaining high production standards. Preventing spoilage caused by microorganisms, such as yeasts, molds, and bacteria, is crucial to ensuring the quality and safety of beverages. Velcorin® technology from LANXESS provides an effective solution for cold sterilization, protecting beverages without affecting their taste, smell, or color. Velcorin® works by deactivating the enzymes within microorganisms, ensuring that drinks remain safe for consumption.

LANXESS MPP Beverage Technology Center

Nagardo® is another preservative developed by LANXESS, derived from the natural mushroom Dacryopinax spathularia. Approved in the European Union in 2022, Nagardo® can be used in a variety of beverages, including soft drinks, teas, kombucha, and non-alcoholic beer. Its natural origin allows manufacturers to label their products as ‘free from artificial preservatives.’ Nagardo® effectively protects beverages from spoilage microorganisms, ensuring safety and quality.

Velcorin® Dosing Unit

LANXESS has been expanding its presence worldwide. Velcorin® has been approved in China since 2005 and Japan since 2020, among other regions worldwide. Nagardo® was launched in the U.S. in 2019, with subsequent approvals in Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, and Canada. The company is currently waiting for approvals of Nagardo® in China and Japan.

In recognition of its preservative solutions, LANXESS received the Just Drinks Excellence Awards 2023 in the categories of “Innovation” and “Product Launches.” This award underscores the company’s dedication to providing safe and reliable solutions for the food and beverage industry.

“Our focus on health and safety in the food and beverage sector motivates us to keep innovating. We're pleased with the role Nagardo® and Velcorin® play in offering natural and effective preservation options,” Han Bo, head of the Consumer Solutions business line of the LANXESS Material Protection Products (MPP) business unit Greater China, said.

Han Bo, Head of MPP Consumer Solution business line (CNS) Sales Greater China

LANXESS also offers Virkon S, a broad-spectrum virucidal disinfectant, for farm biosecurity. Virkon S is effective against a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, within seconds. It has been proven to combat diseases such as Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza H7N9, African Swine Fever, and Foot and Mouth Disease, among others. Virkon S maintains its efficacy even in cold temperatures and in the presence of organic matter, making it a reliable choice for livestock biosecurity.

As governments around the world push for reduced antibiotic use in livestock to prevent antibiotic resistance, Virkon S provides a critical alternative. By enhancing farm biosecurity, this product helps to limit the need for antibiotics, thereby supporting animal welfare and securing a return on investment for producers. The use of Virkon S breaks the cycle of cross-contamination between animals, plants, surfaces, equipment, transportation, feed, water, air, and humans, contributing to a safer food supply chain. This is especially critical in China, a key market for LANXESS, as the country is home to half of the world’s swine population.

LANXESS continues to develop innovative solutions for the food, beverage, and agricultural industries, promoting safety and health to ensure the well-being of both consumers and animals.