New Gelatin-producing Facility to Start Up
by Donald E. Pszczola
A leading global gelatin supplier based in Brazil, Gelnex, Booth 5079, has started up its third production facility in 12 years. The company made the announcement at a press conference held at Fogo De Chao, an authentic Brazilian steakhouse, on Saturday, July 17.
The new facility, which produces bovine gelatin, was designed to maximize the use of clean and renewable energy sources, minimize the company’s greenhouse emissions, and reduce use of petroleum-based electric power generation. Located in the northern Brazilian city of Araguaina, the plant is strategically sited nearby to raw material sources, reducing transportation costs, increasing efficiency, and facilitating traceability.
“All three of our plants take advantage of location and advanced technology to reduce energy demands, enhance water conservation, and use renewable resources,” said Felipe Chaluppe, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “This newest plant is the culmination of all we have learned, and all of the latest technologies, such as solar photovoltaic systems, solar water heating, wastewater recycling, and use of renewable biomass fuels.”
Solar energy, which is abundant in this subtropical region, is used to generate a significant amount of the plant’s electricity demand and to heat water used in processing and in administrative offices, noted Chaluppe. A special Gelnex innovation is the generation of electricity by using diesel engines converted to burn pork fat, a by-product of the gelatin production process.
Gelnex was the result of the collaboration between Hector Cobelo, a man instrumental in developing the Brazilian gelatin industry and bringing it to international prominence, and Michael Leiner, an American businessman and descendent of the Leiner family whose name has been linked to the gelatin industry since 1776.
Their objective was to start a gelatin company that would pioneer the production of Type A pigskin gelatin in South America. In November 1998, Gelnex opened the first pigskin gelatin manufacturing plant in South America, located in Ita, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. In October 2004, Gelnex opened a second plant located in Nazario, in the state of Goias, Brazil, to produce beefskin gelatin. Both plants are strategically located near raw material sources.
Gelnex specializes in offering high-quality pigskin and beefskin gelatin with functionality suited for use in marshmallows and gelled confectionery, dairy products, gelled desserts, ice cream, and pharmaceutical capsules. A protein obtained from the partial hydrolysis of collagen, gelatin is capable of producing clear, thermo-reversible gels that melt at body temperature. It has numerous functionality properties, including gelling agent, thickener, stabilizer, film former, protective colloid, emulsifier, foaming agent, beverage clarification, protein fortification, and binder and adhesive agent.
At the media event, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the next developments in gelatin and enjoy a culinary experience from Brazil, Gelnex’s home country.