BASF, the German chemicals group, has formed a joint venture with US-based Fortitech focusing on the manufacture, marketing and sales of human nutrition premix products.
The two companies announced the venture at this week's IFT Food Expo in Annaheim, California.
BASF, which has a long tradition of producing nutritional ingredients, will transfer its premix customers in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa to the international companies of Fortitech, which claims to be the world's leading provider of custom developed nutrient systems. Fortitech will also assume ownership of BASF's premix manufacturing facilities in Denmark and Malaysia.
BASF will now become the primary supplier of a broad range of nutritional ingredients to Fortitech for use in a broad range of products such as baby formulas and nutrient bars to drinks and supplements. These ingredients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, nucleotides, nutraceuticals and other specialty ingredients, BASF said.
The two companies have worked closely together over the last year, after forming a strategic alliance in June 2001.
"This new joint venture represents a significant commitment by Fortitech to expand its global presence, particularly in Europe and Asia," said Walter Borisenok, president of Fortitech. "The strength of Fortitech as a manufacturer of nutrient systems combined with BASF's production excellence and broad portfolio of top quality nutritional ingredients will enhance Fortitech's ability to deliver the highest standard technology, product innovation, consistent product quality and excellent customer services."
Dr Andreas Ultsch, BASF's director of strategic marketing, human nutrition, said: "This joint venture brings together the best of the two companies and is further evidence of BASF's and Fortitech's commitment to providing excellent human nutrition products to current and prospective customers. The joint venture is an endorsement by Fortitech of BASF's outstanding competencies in helping make products more nutritious. Likewise, it is also an endorsement by BASF of Fortitech's strengths in custom premix formulation and customer service."