US-based specialty hydrocolloid solutions producer CP Kelco has completed the enhancement of its  Kelcogel gellan gum production capabilities in its plant in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

The company has decided to improve its production capacity in order to cater the growing demand for its product, which is used in a wide range of food and beverage applications.

CP Kelco president Don Rubright said: “As the world’s leading producer and innovator of gellan gum, CP Kelco is committed to serving the industry as a sustainable provider of this versatile, multifunctional ingredient over the long-term.

“We have invested in expanded gellan gum production capacity to deliver on this commitment.”

The company explained that prior to the expansion of Oklahoma plant, its facility in San Diego, California, was the major producer of Kelcogel gellan gum.

CP Kelco biogums platform senior director Shaw Gilmer said: “Our gellan gum product from Okmulgee matches the quality and functional performance of product from our San Diego facility, based on our manufacturing and quality protocols.

“We are prepared to work with our customers to ensure a smooth qualification process.”

CP Kelco has noted that it has completed product testing and validation of gellan gum product from the Okmulgee site, using its technical expertise and by adhering to the standards of quality and food safety management systems.

The company has also begun distributing product samples to its customers for trials, and anticipates that the full deployment of the new gellan gum production capability would begin next month.