DSM and Kemin Forge Long-Term Strategic Alliance to Significantly Grow Lutein Usage Globally
10 January 2008
Kemin Industries, Inc. and Kemin Health, creator of FloraGLO® lutein the world's leading lutein brand, and DSM Nutritional Products, the premium supplier of vitamins, carotenoids and nutraceuticals, announced today a strengthened strategic alliance to significantly grow lutein usage and the eye health supplement category worldwide.
Under an existing agreement, DSM currently offers FloraGLO® brand lutein products made with crystalline lutein supplied by Kemin. Under the terms of the new global agreement, Kemin will supply FloraGLO brand lutein exclusively through DSM. DSM will commercialize globally FloraGLO brand lutein products through distributors and directly to customers in the dietary supplement, food and beverage, and over-the-counter pharmaceutical industries.
"We are extremely excited about this long-term alliance. Lutein is strategically important to both of our businesses, and we are committed to significantly growing the global lutein market for years to come. We are convinced our customers and consumers will benefit from the many synergies that will result from Kemin and DSM working more closely together, especially by leveraging Kemin's expertise in the molecular knowledge of lutein and DSM's unique formulation technology," said Rodney Ausich, President of Kemin Health. "The collaboration leverages DSM's global reach and broad product portfolio with Kemin's intellectual property, technical know-how and market development expertise. Kemin and DSM believe that combining the strengths of both companies will provide greater value to our customers and the marketplace," said Thomas Adler, Vice President of New Business Development at DSM Nutritional Products.
FloraGLO brand lutein is best known for its eye health benefits. FloraGLO brand lutein product, formulated by DSM, is being used by the National Eye Institute in its widely anticipated Age-Related Eye Disease Study II to evaluate the impact of purified lutein and other nutrients on age-related eye disease.
