Symrise plans natural food coloring sale

In Germany, specialty chemicals giant Symrise AG has received an offer from Chr. Hansen Natural Colors A/S, now known as Oterra, to acquire its natural food coloring activities for an undisclosed sum. Symrise says it welcomes the offer, having decided to focus its flavor and nutrition segment on core business. 

 “[The deal] supports our goal to strengthen the focus of the Flavor & Nutrition segment on its core expertise in taste, nutrition and health in food, pet food and aqua feed application areas,” Jean-Yves Parisot, Symrise Flavor & Nutrition president, says in a press statement. “For strategic reasons it therefore makes a lot of sense for us to seek a partnership with a potential buyer and divest the food coloring business.”

The transaction would affect two production sites. The site in Cossé le Vivien, France processes red beats and carrots and employs about 60. The site in Holbeach, UK, employs 14 people and produces a range of natural and synthetic colors for the food, beverage and related industries.

Denmark’s Oterra is a leading supplier of natural colors. Symrise expects the purchase agreement to be signed in the coming months.