April 3, 2008

Xiwang to boost corn produced glucose output

Chinese glucose producer Xiwang Sugar Holdings Co. said on Thursday that it plans to increase the production of crystallized fructose-glucose by five times at a cost of RMB 500 million (US$71.2 million).

Xiwang Sugar is the world's first producer of crystallized fructose-glucose, a sweetener made from corn that can be used in food and beverages.

The company's 10,000 tonnes per year trial production line of crystallized fructose-glucose started operating in China last year. It cost about RMB 49 million (US$7 million) to build.

The company said it plans to build its second production line with an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes.

It expects to finish building the new facility by 2008-end, it added.

Xiwang Sugar refines corn to produce corn-refined products and corn-based biochemical products. It sources most of its corn domestically.

The company also said it plans to increase its export volume to about 20 percent of its total sales by 2010, up from 12 percent in 2007. It said it is targeting new overseas markets such as South Korea.