(LANXESS) -- Specialty chemicals company Lanxess AG is to launch its first natural product: Natural Choice is an innovative flavor that also increases the shelf life of beverages. Typical applications include non-carbonated soft drinks containing fruit juice such as still lemonade and isotonic sports drinks. Philipp Borgs, Product Manager Beverage Technology in the Material Protection Products (MPP) business unit, said: "We are now launching our new product in the United States, which is the world's biggest market for soft drinks, with annual sales amounting to USD 38 bln. Following a successful launch, other countries will follow."
Natural Choice is a fruity, lemon-tasting formulation, consisting entirely of natural ingredients. The main constituents are citrus fruit peel oil, lecithin and beeswax. "Natural Choice is only the beginning. We are continuing to carry out active research in natural, bio-identical products for the food and beverage industry, and this will be our mission for the next few years," added Ingo Broda, head of Beverage Technology.
The launch of a natural product is a further example of the commitment shown by Lanxess to Green Chemistry. The leading manufacturer of synthetic rubber owns shares in the U.S. company Gevo Inc., an expert in the production of bio-based raw materials. The two parties are working on methods to produce isobutene from renewable raw materials, which is then used for rubber production.