In Southeast Asia, the consumption of processed foods such as instant noodles is currently growing as eating habits become increasingly diverse. At the same time, there is a growing need for processed food production plants based in the region to acquire halal certification for food additives because of the large population of Muslims in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Nippon Shokubai has responded to the needs of processed food manufacturers and consumers by acquiring halal certification for its succinic acid*, the SS50 brand of disodium succinate**, and fumaric acid***, which are food additives in particularly high demand in Southeast Asia, along with the derivatives of these products and the main raw material used to produce them, maleic anhydride.
Demand is anticipated to grow for Nippon Shokubai's succinic acid, SS50 disodium succinate, and fumaric acid as they are often found in seasonings, pH adjusters, and other applications. Moreover, since few producers of maleic anhydride have acquired halal certification in the past, the company expects this recent certification to result in greater usage of its maleic anhydride as a raw material for food additives and other items.
*Succinic acid is commonly found in the natural world, such as in bivalves, fossils, algae, lichen, and fungi. It is industrially produced by hydrogenating maleic anhydride. Succinic acid is used as a food additive for miso paste, and soy sauce among other food products. According to WebMD, it has many alternative names including 'oil of amber' and is found in supplements for menopause.
**SS50 disodium succinate is industrially produced by neutralising succinic acid. It is used as a food additive for instant noodles and other processed foods.
Demand is anticipated to grow for Nippon Shokubai's succinic acid, SS50 disodium succinate, and fumaric acid as they are often found in seasonings, pH adjusters, and other applications. Moreover, since few producers of maleic anhydride have acquired halal certification in the past, the company expects this recent certification to result in greater usage of its maleic anhydride as a raw material for food additives and other items.
*Succinic acid is commonly found in the natural world, such as in bivalves, fossils, algae, lichen, and fungi. It is industrially produced by hydrogenating maleic anhydride. Succinic acid is used as a food additive for miso paste, and soy sauce among other food products. According to WebMD, it has many alternative names including 'oil of amber' and is found in supplements for menopause.
**SS50 disodium succinate is industrially produced by neutralising succinic acid. It is used as a food additive for instant noodles and other processed foods.
***Fumaric acid is found in many kinds of plants, and is industrially produced using maleic acid as a raw material. It has about 1.5 times the acidity of citrus acid. Fumaric acid is used as a food additive for beverages, pastries, and other food products.