Israel-based nutraceutical ingredients company LycoRed has expanded production capacity of its natural beta-carotene coloring line in Ukraine, to meet the increasing demand from food and beverage companies in the US, West Europe and Asia-Pacific.

The company produces B.Trispora biomass at the Ukrainian plant. The expansion project will see the double digit increase in capacity from 2014.

LycoRed offers a wide range of beta-carotene formulations under the Lyc-O-Beta brand. The products include emulsion and dispersion systems designed specifically for beverage and food applications.

LycoRed Colour Global Commercial Manager Roee Nir said, "The production expansion is a result of a growing global demand for LycoRed's natural beta-carotene colours, as well as supplying agreements with leading food and beverage companies.

"The trend of replacing artificial colours with natural food colours started several years ago, and now the increasing concern of consumers has led to their direct approach to major food and beverage companies."

The company is set to showcase Intense, a new line of formulations of natural beta-carotene colors, at the FiE show scheduled to be held from 19-21 November at Frankfurt, Germany.