July 9, 2004

Chinese Vitamin B1 Producers Seen Expanding Production Capacity Aggressively
 

An eFeedLink Exclusive Report

Through a special support arrangement with Germany's BASF, China's Zhong Jin Pharmaceutical Company has established a subsidiary company named Zhong Wei Pharmaceutical Company to produce vitamin B1 in Tianjin city, northeast China.   

The construction of the plant has begun since May 18, 2004 and is expected to be ready for production in 1st quarter of 2005. 

With an annual production capacity of 3,000 tons, the production plant would be the world's largest vitamin B1 production base. When fully completed, the plant would be capable of producing 50% to 60% of the total global output of vitamin B1. 

Meanwhile, Hubei Huazhong Pharmaceutical Co. is actively in talks with Roche in a bid to attract foreign funds to expand its vitamin B1 production and upgrade its production capability. The annual output of vitamin B1 by Huazhong is less than 1,000 tons, while Zhong Jin Pharmaceutical Co. has production capacity of 1,500 tons per annum. 

Also, Northeast General Pharmaceutical Factory reportedly has plans to seek foreign partners. 

While Zhong Jin Pharmaceutical Co., Hubei Huazhong Pharmaceutical Co. and Northeast General Pharmaceutical Factory are making their expansion plans, another Chinese vitamin B1 producer, Zhejiang Brother Enterprise, has already brought in equipment facility from overseas country in early-March this year, to beef up its production of vitamin B1.