NEWS

May 3, 2010

Kosher chemicals from Cognis

Practicing Jews observe strict dietary laws, and may only consume food that is considered “kosher”, which means “proper” or “acceptable”. Certification labels on the packaging (known as “heksher”) help consumers easily find kosher products in the supermarket. According to market research company Mintel, sales of kosher-certified prepared foods and kosher meat, dairy and fish totaled 12.5 billion dollars in 2008 in the US, representing a 64% increase since 2003. The market is strong and growing, as kosher products are not only bought for religious reasons – non-Jewish consumers also recognize kosher certification as a sign of quality.

Cognis offers kosher alternatives to animal fat-based chemicals that comply with these certification standards. Every year, the company produces several hundred tons of kosher ingredients, including fatty alcohols, glycerin and ingredients for the bread and desserts producing customers. The production process follows strict guidelines at every stage of the supply chain, to ensure that the raw materials used are kosher. For example, instead of animal fats, Cognis uses vegetable-based alternatives. The production lines are separated from those used for non-kosher products, and have been certified for kosher manufacturing. “We make sure that all kosher ingredients have no contact with non-kosher products at any point in the production chain,” explains Jürgen Latzel, head of the kosher fatty alcohol production line at the Cognis site in Holthausen, Germany. A rabbi visits the production plant regularly to check that manufacturing processes are in accordance with the Jewish rules.

Cognis’ kosher products are mainly sold in the US – and even during distribution Cognis ensures that contact with non-kosher products is impossible. “All kosher products are distributed separately from non-kosher products to our customers,” says Latzel.