Pressemeddelelse fra Suomalaisten Kemistien Seura
The award granted to Fazer’s xylitol factory is presented by the Finnish Chemical Society to a company or a community for innovative business ideas related to chemistry and circular economy. Climate change and decrease of natural resources are a significant global issue. With the help of circular systems, material loss and the amount of waste can be minimised. Chemistry plays a crucial role in circular economy as it ensures its quality and safety.
“The Finnish Chemical Society has granted the award for circular economy innovations in 2021 to Fazer’s xylitol factory that manufactures xylitol out of oat hulls. The innovation based on the Finnish invention is unique and has significant business potential related to circular economy,” says Anu Airaksinen, Chair of the Finnish Chemical Society’s board. The criteria for the award emphasise chemistryâ??related innovations that provide environmental benefits as well as economic benefits.
High-quality xylitol derived from the oat mill’s side stream
Fazer has developed a new method, where the oat hulls derived as a side stream can be used to produce high-quality xylitol for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The oat hulls derived as a side stream have formerly been used for energy production. The construction of the xylitol manufacturing facility in Lahti, Finland has proceeded according to plan and trial runs are underway. The manufacturing of xylitol will begin by Midsummer.
Fazer sees food as a solution and invests in the development of new production technologies and solutions.
“We thank the Finnish Chemical Society for this wonderful acknowledgement. We are manufacturing xylitol with the help of a new, patented technology. The production process is unique due to the raw material – oat hulls – which has not been commercially utilised before. We believe that xylitol made out of Finnish oat hulls will create interest worldwide,” says Anna Nicol, director of Fazer’s xylitol factory project at Fazer Lifestyle Foods.
The manufacturing facility is the world’s first xylitol factory that receives its raw material from the company’s own production, Fazer’s oat mill, situated right next to the new xylitol factory. Processing of side streams into new products plays a key role in circular economy. Research and product development have been essential for Fazer’s patented innovation. Due to the growing demand for xylitol, the innovation has significant business potential.
The award for circular economy innovations combines different materials
The award presented to the winner at the event is called “The Thing”, and it is designed by the Chilean graphic designer Joel Meneses from Aalto University’s Design Factory. The award visualises the stream of industrial materials. The award combines different manufacturing methods and materials, connecting wood, metal, plastic and stone to one another with different casting techniques. The end result is an elegant combination of these four elements in one geometric form.
The Finnish Chemical Society is an independent scientific organisation. The Finnish Chemical Society emphasises the societal meaning of chemistry, operates in the international chemistry forum and advances networking between science, education, industry and other societal entities.
Fazer’s xylitol manufacturing facility is part of the Fazer Lifestyle Foods business area that focuses on plant-based food solutions.
– Industrial production of xylitol is a Finnish innovation.
– In Finland, industrial production started in 1975.
– The most popular xylitol products are chewing gum and pastilles.
– Xylitol is a sweetener produced from xylose, which is found in various trees and plants, e.g. birch, beech, corn and berries.
– Xylitol is low in calories (60% of calories of sugar) but as sweet as sugar.
– Xylitol has an approved EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) health claim.
Kontakt:
Publicity for Chemistry Days’ virtual pre-event 2021
Sanna Mikkola
tel. +358 400 241 104
sanna.mikkola@kemianseura.fi
Contact person for Fazer Lifestyle Foods, Communications
Taina Lampela Helin,
tel. +358 40 668 4600
taina.lampela-helin@fazer.com
Fazer’s media phone line is open Mon-Fri from 8:00 to 16:00
tel. +358 40 668 2998
media@fazer.com
Læs hele pressemeddelelsen på Via Ritzau her: https://www.sttinfo.fi/tiedote/fazers-xylitol-manufacturing-facility-awarded-with-the-finnish-chemical-societys-award-for-circular-economy-innovations?releaseId=69907696
** Ovenstående pressemeddelelse er videreformidlet af Ritzau på vegne af tredjepart. Ritzau er derfor ikke ansvarlig for indholdet **
