Chr. Hansen has announced its Q1 2016/17 results. Revenues were €242 million, compared to €214 million in Q1 2015/16, corresponding to organic growth of 11%. Food Cultures & Enzymes saw 10% organic growth; Health & Nutrition saw 8% organic growth; and Natural Colors aw 13% organic growth. Profit for the period was €47 million, compared to €39 million in Q1 2015/16.

“The results in Q1 gave us a good start to the year, and we maintain our guidance for the full year,” said CEO Cees de Jong. “Both Food Cultures & Enzymes and Natural Colors delivered strong organic growth and improved profitability. The organic growth in Health & Nutrition was still below our long-term ambitions, however, better than expected for the quarter, mainly due to timing of orders. The EBIT margin for the business area was down, partly due to an unfavorable product mix.”

“We made good progress on our focus areas for 2016/17. Our bioprotective cultures continue to deliver strong growth. In Q1, growth was approximately 25%, and the segment now accounts for approximately 5% of the revenue in Food Cultures & Enzymes. In November, we concluded the acquisition of LGG®, and we have initiated integrating the business into Chr. Hansen. The integration of NPC is being concluded and we are starting to reap the synergies from the acquisition. Plant health supported the growth in Health & Nutrition with sales of both Nemix C and VGR, and we are making progress in our work to introduce new products in the coming years. Natural Colors showed good progress in Q1.”