DSM Opens The World's Largest Vitamin E Plant In Sisseln, Switzerland

Bob Hartmayer, Chief Operating Officer (COO), opened the world's largest vitamin E plant in Sisseln, Switzerland. "Through this investment, DSM demonstrates its strong commitment to the industry and our customers, and once again confirms our position as the global leader in Nutritional Ingredients", said Bob Hartmayer, COO of DSM Nutritional Products. The world's most advanced vitamin E manufacturing facility further strengthens the DSM Nutritional Products position as world market leader in the production of vitamins for the feed, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

The new factory has the capacity to produce approximately 25 000 tons of vitamin E a year. Paul Gilgen, head of the global Technical Department said: "This new facility will meet the stringent industry demands for quality by ISO certification and includes systems to monitor full product traceability." The new production facility with integrated process control and the on-site analytical laboratory will monitor quality aspects, provide analytical services and meet growing customer needs.

Vitamin E

Vegetable oils (peanut, soya, palm, corn, safflower, sunflower, etc.) and wheat germ are the most important natural sources of vitamin E. Vitamin E plays an important role in protecting the fat molecules in cell membranes and the blood. Without vitamin E, the oxygen in aggressive molecules, called free radicals, could damage these polyunsaturated fat molecules. Oxidized fat molecules can harm body tissues over long periods of time. Owing to its potent antioxidant properties in the body, vitamin E has a stabilizing effect on vitamin A, various hormones and enzymes. It also plays an essential role in protecting cell membranes. Together with vitamin A and vitamin C it forms the trio of antioxidant vitamins now believed to have a preventive effect on degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. In animals, vitamin E is involved in reproduction, and has an immunomodulatory effect. Furthermore, meat and fish flesh from vitamin E-supplemented animals are protected against rancid deterioration.

DSM vitamin E

DSM vitamin E is available as tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate, as oil or several different types of solid product forms, for feed, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic use. Through extensive research and development, DSM Nutritional Products is now able to offer the highest quality of vitamin E.