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Article: Lactic Acid Prices Falter As Competition Toughens.
- Article from:
- Chemical Market Reporter
- Article date:
- March 1, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Schnell Publishing Company, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Prices for lactic acid have fallen moderately during the past six months, primarily for food-grade product, which in the US is between 70 and 80 cents per pound for 88 percent material. Producers attribute the decline to increased competition. Prices for heat-stable and higher grades of lactic acid are stronger.
"Prices have been fairly low, and there is plenty of product available," says Leo Hepner of UK-based L. Hepner and Associates, a management consultancy for the food ingredients and biotechnology industries.
Mr. Hepner notes that prices have been as low as 50 or 60 cents per pound in Europe. In his most recent study of lactic acid, he cautions ...