FMC unveils $100m microcrystalline cellulose facility in Thailand

The investment is a part of the company's strategy to supply its MCC to the growing Asia market. Th…

The investment is a part of the company's strategy to supply its MCC to the growing Asia market.

The new facility is expected to commence production in late 2014 and will feature MCC production, blending, packaging and warehousing. The Thailand plant is FMC's third MCC manufacturing facility.

It will initially manufacture colloidal MCC, which is widely used as a key ingredient in food and beverages. However, the facility's design will allow for future volume expansion and the manufacture of different product lines for both the food and pharmaceutical markets.

FMC stated that the plant will incorporate FMC's standards of safety and environmental protection and has been recognized for its sustainability efforts by the Thailand National Innovation Agency.

FMC Specialty Chemicals president Michael Wilson said that the company will continue to invest to grow with its Asian customers.

"Our new advanced food laboratory at the FMC Singapore Technical Center, which opened last year, along with the company's new Asia Innovation Center in Shanghai, scheduled to open late this year, plus this new manufacturing facility, are all symbols of our long-term commitment to support our growing customer base in this region," Wilson added.

Recently, the company completed the expansion at its BioPolymer MCC sites in Newark, Delaware, US, and Cork, Ireland.

The company is also investing to expand its line of food ingredients with the recent acquisitions of natural colors and pectin companies, making FMC the only company that integrates both texturants and colors for the food industry, according to the FMC.

Microcrystalline cellulose is a term for refined wood pulp and is used as an anti-caking agent - an additive placed in powdered materials, such as table salt, to prevent the formation of lumps. It is also used as a texturizer, a fat substitute, an emulsifier, an extender, and a bulking agent in food production.

FMC is a diversified chemical company providing services to agricultural, industrial, environmental and consumer markets across the world with innovative solutions, applications and quality products.