Veendam/Netherlands, Emlichheim/Germany, Kristianstad/Sweden, Limburgerhof/Germany, April 9, 2008 – AVEBE, Emsland and Lyckeby, the three leading European potato starch producers, are calling on the European Commission to approve Amflora for commercial cultivation in Europe. Amflora is a genetically enhanced starch potato developed by BASF Plant Science.
AVEBE, Emsland and Lyckeby confirmed their interest in Amflora. They agree with BASF Plant Science that Amflora is safe. Amflora passed the scientific approval process successfully and is – according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – as safe as conventional potatoes.
According to the starch experts, pure amylopectin starch is of high value in several technical applications such as paper production and paper coating. Michael Schonert, Managing Director EMSLAND GROUP, confirmed: “We, the European starch producers and our farmers, need high-value amylopectin starch to stay competitive.” The industry anticipates processing the genetically optimized starch potato Amflora. Amylopectin starch has the potential to provide added value estimated at approximately €100 million per year to the European starch potato industry and as-sociated farmers.
AVEBE, Emsland and Lyckeby agree with BASF Plant Science that plant biotechnology is an excellent way of developing pure amylopectin starch varieties with competitive yields. Gerben Meursing, Commercial Director AVEBE said: “Plant bio-technology is the key to the future of the potato starch industry. That is why AVEBE has also been investing in genetically optimized potato varieties since the early 1990s.”
About Amflora
Amflora is a genetically optimized potato, producing pure amylopectin starch, ideal for technical applications. Conventional potatoes produce a mixture of amylopectin and amylose starch. For many technical applications, such as in the paper, textile and adhesives industries, only amylopectin is needed; separating the two starch components is uneconomical. Amflora produces pure amylopectin starch and thus helps to safe resources, energy and costs. Moreover: Paper produced with amy-lopectin starch has a higher gloss. Concrete and adhesives can be processed for a longer period of time.
About AVEBE, EMSLAND and LYCKEBY
AVEBE (Veendam, the Netherlands), EMSLAND (Emlichheim, Germany) and LYCKEBY (Kristianstad, Sweden) are potato starch companies that produce potato starch-based solutions. AVEBE, EMSLAND and LYCKEBY operate worldwide; have production locations in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Czech Republic.
About BASF Plant Science
BASF – the Chemical Company – consolidated its plant biotechnology activities in BASF Plant Sci-ence in 1998. Today, about 700 employees are working to optimize crops for more efficient agricul-ture, renewable raw materials and healthier nutrition. Projects include yield increase in staple crops, higher content of Omega-3s in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases, and potatoes with optimized starch composition for industrial use.