Clariant has expanded capacity for activated bleaching earths in Yuncos, Spain, enabling the group to offer an extended portfolio of advanced purification products to the edible oil and biofuel markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company did not reveal actual capacity details for the plant.

The move also enables more local supply, shorter lead times and better service for its customers, the Swiss specialty chemicals producer added.

Anil Sönmez, head of purification and functional adsorbents EMEA, said the Yuncos project complements Clariant’s investments over the last three years in France, Germany and Turkey.

High-quality bleaching earths are in demand to remove unwanted impurities from refined oils as customers want healthier cooking oils. Clariant said there is particular attention on minimizing levels of 3-MCPD, a chemical compound that is suspected of being carcinogenic and which is currently under scrutiny by the EU. 3-MCPD esters are found in some processed foods and vegetable oils, where they are formed unintentionally, particularly during the oil refining process.

The company added that rising interest in using biofuels throughout Europe is also increasing demand for effective purification solutions.