HOT MARKET FOR A COOL CHEMICAL.

The article reports on the expansion of synthetic menthol producers worldwide. BASF plans to construct the world's largest menthol plant while Symrise intends to double its production capacity for menthol. Among the markets being targeted by both companies are oral care, flavors, cosmetics as well as the tobacco industry. It is viewed that the two German firms are following the lead of Japan's Takasago, which is ranked as the number two synthetic menthol maker. The pre-expansion capacity of Symrise is expected to reach between 3,000-3,600 metric tons.