BENECOL PRODUCTS TO BE LAUNCHED ON THE INDONESIAN MARKET
Raisio plc, Stock exchange release 17 September 2008
BENECOL PRODUCTS TO BE LAUNCHED ON THE INDONESIAN MARKET
Raisio's Indonesian partner Kalbe Nutritionals launches smoothies containing
plant stanol ester under the Nutrive Benecol brand on the Indonesian market. In
Asia, Benecol products are now sold in both India and Indonesia. Raisio and its
local partners continue their preparations to enter other Asian markets with
interesting new products.
Raisio's Indonesian partner Kalbe Nutritionals is a part of the PT Kalbe Farma
Tbk group, a leading nutrition and pharmaceutical company in Indonesia. The
group is also the biggest listed company in the sector in Southeast Asia. The
group's turnover in 2007 totalled some EUR 560 million.
Kalbe Nutritionals provides consumers with healthy foods and related services
for all phases of life. It has several strong brands. Nutrive is the company's
new brand for products related to a healthy lifestyle, and thus excellently
suits for Benecol brand and plant stanol ester ingredient. Nutrive Benecol
products will be sold in Indonesia's biggest cities.
Indonesia has over 220 million inhabitants. Around 20 per cent of the population
enjoys a high standard of living, and awareness of products suited for healthy
living is growing quickly. The trend emphasising a healthy lifestyle boosts the
demand for high-quality products and foods sold under strong and reliable brands
as a part of a better and healthier life.
Matti Rihko, Raisio's CEO, considers the launch of Benecol products in Indonesia
to be an important step and an indication of the company's ability to enter new
markets with strong local partners. "As has been seen in many countries, the
sales of Benecol products increase when the partner focuses on developing the
entire market for cholesterol-lowering functional foods and introduces new,
interesting products and applications to the market."
RAISIO PLC
Heidi Hirvonen
Communications Manager
Tel. +358 50 567 3060
Further information:
Matti Rihko, CEO, tel. +358 400 830 727
Distribution
OMX Nordic Exchange, Helsinki
Key media
www.raisio.com