Feb. 13, 2006

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Cargill’s First North American Maltitol Plant In Full Operation

BLAIR, Neb. — Cargill’s first North American maltitol plant is now in full operation at the company’s corn milling biorefinery campus in Blair, Neb. The new facility, in addition to Cargill’s maltitol plant in Europe, provides food manufacturers with global access to new, innovative sweetness solutions.

“We made our first footprint in the North American polyol industry two years ago with the re-opening of the erythritol plant in Blair,” said Per Ole Jensen, global business director, polyols. “Expanding our manufacturing capabilities to offer maltitol further demonstrates our commitment to the worldwide polyol business and establishes our position as a global leader in this ingredient category."

Cargill’s new polyol manufacturing facility is North America’s only source of Maltidex™ HP high purity liquid maltitol. Maltidex™ HP maltitol is over 96 percent pure, the highest purity level of all liquid maltitol products available. The liquid version can be a valuable replacement for crystalline maltitol, particularly in coated, sugar-free chewing gums, where it adds convenience, provides cost and labor savings and reduces bag waste.

“Maltidex ™ HP maltitol and Eridex™ erythritol are two unique products in the Cargill polyol line,” said Kathy Fortmann, product manager, polyols and dextrose Americas, for Cargill Sweetness Solutions. “We now have the broadest polyol product line available including maltitol, erythritol, sorbitol, isomalt and mannitol.”

Maltidex™ maltitol can replace sugar one-for-one in a variety of foods including confections, baked goods, ice cream and dairy products, beverages and pharmaceutical applications.