Symrise enters strategic partnership with First...

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Fragrances and flavorings manufacturer Symrise has entered into a
strategic partnership with the American corporation First Choice
Ingredients. The cooperative endeavor will ensure future growth of
Symrise's product range in the dairy and cheese sector, particularly
strengthening its expertise in enzyme-modified flavorings.

"The agreement which was signed in October is part of Symrise's
consistent strategy of further developing important core competences
in technologies," explains Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, Global President
of the Flavor & Nutrition division at Symrise.

First Choice Ingredients has decades of experience in fermenting and
developing enzyme-modified flavorings. At the company's site in
Germantown, Wisconsin in the US, the Dairy Flavor Innovation teams
jointly formed by Symrise and First Choice will work on the
development and production of these flavorings at a location in the
heart of the US dairy industry.

Enzyme-modified flavorings are not only a vital component in dairy
products, they also play an important part in snacks, savory products
and prepared foods. This partnership will thus have a positive effect
on Symrise's portfolio in all of these segments. Symrise's goal is to
channel the fermentation competences of First Choice Ingredients for
other lipid- and protein-based substrates to continue developing its
selection of flavorings from natural fermentation.

The collaborative effort is closely linked to the acquisition of the
flavoring sector of Danish manufacturer Chr. Hansen earlier this
year. First Choice Ingredients will produce some of the Chr. Hansen
flavorings.

"Thanks to the combined strengths of Symrise, the acquisition of Chr.
Hansen and First Choice Ingredients, we can offer our clients an even
more extensive, authentic selection of natural dairy flavorings,"
states Dr. Matthias A. Güntert, President, Flavor & Nutrition, North
America, Symrise. "Vertically integrating basic dairy raw materials
and exceptional competences in the field of fermentation creates a
unique selling point in terms of product qualities. We will keep
expanding our portfolio, especially in the sector of enzyme-modified
cheese, milk, cream and butter flavorings."

James P. Pekar, President, First Choice Ingredients, adds, "As a
corporation with decades of experience in developing enzyme-modified
flavorings, we see here a unique opportunity to merge our competences
with Symrise and take the next step together towards a successful
future."

About Symrise

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings and raw
materials and active ingredients for the perfume, cosmetics and food
industry.
Its sales of ¤1.27 billion in 2007 place the company among the top
four in the international flavors and fragrances market.
Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, Symrise is represented in more
than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, the United States and South
America. With more than 40 first patent applications per year,
Symrise is one of the most innovative manufacturers on the market.
Used by manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics and foods, our products
are an inseparable part of daily life. At Symrise we combine an
awareness of consumer trends with cutting-edge technologies, focusing
on innovative fashion and lifestyle products that have additional
practical value for the consumer. Symrise - always inspiring more...
www.symrise.com


Contact:
Katja Derow, red roses communications, phone: [phone],
e-mail: [e-mail]


 
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Symrise AG
Mühlenfeldstraße 1 Holzminden Germany

WKN: SYM999; ISIN: 
DE000SYM9999; Index: MDAX, TecDAX;
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