HISTORICAL - BIOPOLYMER BACKGROUND -

'Biopolymers', or 'biogums' as they are sometimes called, are polymers manufactured by fermentation. BIOPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL was created in France in 1989 by the main manufacturers of xanthan gum, an important biogum widely used in food, pharmaceutical and other industries. In the same year, a new biogum called gellan gum was approved for use in the USA. Today, Biopolymer International is an association of world-wide manufacturers of xanthan gum and gellan gum.

The main objectives of the Association are :

- to promote a better understanding of the safety and use of xanthan gum and gellan gum among consumers, health professionals, legislators and customers.

- to provide regulatory bodies such as the European Commission, US Food and Drug Administration, the Codex Alimentarius and JECFA (FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives) with the data necessary to demonstrate the safety and technological justification of these biopolymers.

The member companies of Biopolymer International are : ADM, CP KELCO, DANISCO, DEGUSSA, DEOSEN and JUNGBUNZLAUER.

This website contains useful information on the properties, uses, manufacture and regulatory status of xanthan gum and gellan gum.

Biopolymer International
9, Avenue des Gaulois
B- 1040 BRUSSELS
BELGIUM
Tel. + 32 2 736 53 54
Fax + 32 2 732 34 27
Biopolymer@ecco-eu.com