Yantai builds Asia's largest pectin production base

By Ju Chuanjiang and Zhao Ruixue (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-01-10 15:08

China's first 2000-ton standardized pectin production line, belonging to Andre Juice Group, went full stream ahead yesterday in Shandong, making it the largest pectin production base in Asia.

"We hold independent Intellectual Property Rights for these advanced technologies. The production line is in line with global standards, making the company one of the six largest pectin producers in the world," said Ole Moesgaard Jakobsen, executive president of Yantai Andre Pectin Co Ltd, located in the Mouping development zone.

Pectin is distilled from residue squeezed from fruits. It is widely used in producing dairy, candy, jam, beverage and medicine products. For a long time the technology has been controlled by a handful of western developed countries.

"Large-scale production of pectin is of great significance to our country's food industry," Jiang Yunguo, an official at the National Development and Reform Commission said.

"Large-scale production of pectin contributes a lot to the complete process of juice production," said Hu Xiaosong, a professor from China Agricultural University.

The Andre company is the largest juice producer in China. More than 20 percent of juice exported from China comes from Andre company.

The company has developed different kinds of pectin used in producing jam, candy, beverages, dairy and health products. The pectin it produces has been exported to Japan, the Middle East, East and South Asia, Europe, America, Africa and other regions.

As of now, the Andre company has H-shares in the Hong Kong stock market; A-shares are expected this year.


(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)



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