LANXESS at drinktec 2025: Innovative technologies for safe beverages and food

At the leading international trade fair drinktec LANXESS will showcase Velcorin and Nagardo, two powerful solutions for the microbiological stabilization of beverages. Both products – used individually or in combination – set standards in product safety, resource conservation, and cost efficiency, fully aligning with current trends. Beverage manufacturers are seeking flexible and efficient technologies due to rising energy and raw material costs and to optimize equipment utilization, as microbiological stability remains one of the main quality criteria.

New perspectives for non-alcoholic beers and wines

The trend towards non-alcoholic beers and wines presents new challenges for the industry regarding microbiological safety. Nagardo offers, for the first time, a natural alternative to tunnel or chamber pasteurization of non-alcoholic beers in bottles or cans and also provides persistent protection for draft beer. For non-alcoholic wine, Velcorin is established worldwide as an effective solution. Approval of Nagardo for the wine sector is also in preparation. For non-alcoholic spirits, a combined use of both products is recommended. While Velcorin is added proportionally via a dosing unit directly before bottling, Nagardo as a pre-solution can be added during product blending.

Natural innovation complements proven technology

For over 40 years, Velcorin has been an energy-efficient method for the microbiological stabilization of conventionally, cold-filled beverages. Its great popularity is due to its easy handling, as it can be integrated into almost any existing or new beverage filling line using the dosing technology developed by LANXESS. In the latest generation of equipment, Endress+Hauser Coriolis mass flow meters will be installed in addition to new software functions. This opens up further possibilities in machine diagnostics and preventive maintenance.

Alongside Velcorin, Nagardo expands the portfolio as an innovative and natural preservative. The active ingredient is obtained from the tropical fungus Dacryopinax spathularia. Through a natural fermentation process, this fungus produces highly pure glycolipids, which are effective against yeasts, molds, and bacteria even at low dosages (2 to 50 milligrams per liter) – without affecting the flavor profile.

Thermal stability enables flexible use

Nagardo is characterized by its thermostable properties and thus also protects against heat-resistant spore formers such as Alicyclobacillus or Byssochlamys. The natural preservative is typically added as an aqueous solution before heat treatment during production. This allows Nagardo to close a crucial gap in hot filling or tunnel pasteurization, as protection persists even after thermal treatment. The application is straightforward and can be easily integrated into existing processes.

Nagardo allrounder – now also for food

Since its market launch, the range of applications for Nagardo has been steadily growing. Initially, carbonated and still soft drinks were the focus, while today Nagardo is also used in non-alcoholic beers, kombucha, and for surface treatment of foods such as pomegranate arils, sausage, and cheese. LANXESS is continuously working on further regulatory approvals and developing new application areas for Nagardo – for example, for other fruit, liquid dietary supplements, and vegan alternatives. In the European Union, Nagardo has been approved since June 2022 and is declared as a glycolipid, while in the USA, the terms “mushroom extract” or “mushroom glycolipids” can also be found on packaging labels.

Kalama and Purox – reliable and sustainable preservatives for food and beverages

In addition to Nagardo and Velcorin, LANXESS offers other high-purity, nature-identical preservatives for the safe stabilization of beverages and processed foods. These include Purox B (benzoic acid, E210), Purox S (sodium benzoate, E211), Kalama Sodium Benzoate NF/FCC (E211) and Kalama Potassium Benzoate FCC (E212).

With two production sites in the Netherlands and the US, LANXESS is one of the world's leading suppliers of benzoates. The preservatives are used in a wide range of applications, such as soft drinks and processed foods. The products mentioned are now also available as climate-friendly Scopeblue variants with a significantly reduced product carbon footprint – while maintaining the same quality and product properties.

A reliable partner for the beverage industry

“As a solution provider for beverage protection, we support the industry with innovative and reliable products,” says Monika Ebener, Business Director Beverage & Food at LANXESS. “At drinktec, we especially want to inform our customers about new application possibilities and regulatory developments.” The LANXESS booth at drinktec is located in Hall C3, No. 321.

Further information about products and services for the preservation of beverages and food can be found at https://lanxess.com/en/products-and-brands/brands/nagardo, https://lanxess.com/en/products-and-brands/brands/velcorin and https://lanxess.com/en/products-and-brands/industries/aroma_chemicals.