Global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis has expanded sterol ester production capacities for functional foods with a €10 million investment at its plant in Illertissen, Germany.

The new facility at the company’s Nutrition & Health Competence Center is used for the production of plant sterol esters, used for products such as cholesterol-reducing margarine or milk drinks. Food manufacturers will now be able to incorporate these ingredients without any further processing – which makes the production process for functional foods much simpler for manufacturers.

CEO Dr. Antonio Trius comments: “During the last few years around €35 million have been invested in the functional foods business in Illertissen. Natural foods markets are central to our future, and we will continue to invest in facilities.”