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SHAH ALAM - SD Guthrie International (SDGI) expands its manufacturing capabilities in Liverpool with a new Enzymatic Interesterification (EIE) line.
The expansion includes two independent EIE production lines, each with a capacity of up to 20,000 tonnes, along with new storage tanks, a loading bay, a weighbridge and an effluent treatment plant.
EIE is a process that uses enzymes to selectively rearrange fatty acids within a fat structure, allowing manufacturers to produce fats with specific functional characteristics.
According to SDGI, the new production line is designed to operate under milder processing conditions and does not require post-treatment, helping improve process efficiency while reducing effluent generation and the overall environmental impact of production.
SDGI chief operations officer (manufacturing) Richard Town said the expanded facility would enable the company to deliver more tailored palm-based fat solutions for a range of applications.
“These include margarines and spreads requiring smoothness, spreadability and controlled melting; bakery fats requiring structure, aeration and consistent performance; biscuit fillings and confectionery requiring stability, controlled melting and desired mouthfeel; and specialty fats designed for customised applications,” he said.
Town said the expanded capability would strengthen SDGI's ability to respond to changing customer needs while improving the efficiency and sustainability of its manufacturing operations.
SD Guthrie president and group chief executive officer Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad said the company's strength lies in its presence across the palm oil value chain, from upstream and midstream to downstream.
“Investments like this allow us to build on that integrated model by transforming the palm oil we produce into higher-value, specialised solutions for our customers,” he said.
Haris further said the new EIE facility would provide greater precision in developing products with specific functional characteristics while creating more possibilities for customers to meet evolving market demands.
He added that the investment would strengthen SD Guthrie's downstream capabilities, support its sustainability ambitions under its 'Beyond Zero' framework and enable the group to capture greater value across the palm oil value chain.
The expansion also strengthens SDGI's ability to serve UK customers through local production and could help reduce the overall carbon footprint associated with supplying the UK market.
SD Guthrie said the investment complements SDGI's existing manufacturing capabilities and supports the group's ambition to strengthen its downstream business through technology, innovation and the development of higher-value products.