http://www.functionaltechcorp.com () —
Functional Technologies (TSX VENTURE: FEB), a world leader in yeast
research and development, today announced sales results of its
proprietary hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-preventing wine yeast into the key
US market. In its first commercial season, the company's four
Phyterra branded wine yeast strains, marketed principally through its
distributor Beverage Supply Group, have been sold to over 75 wineries
in 13 states, with a majority of the sales occurring in the key
California market. The company will report its initial sales revenue
with its year-end financial results later this month.
"I'm pleased that winemakers are responding well to our wine yeasts,
which provide the winemaking attributes they desire while assuring
they can avoid the sensory and spoilage problems that often occur from
hydrogen sulfide in fermentation. It is expected that with the use of
this innovative solution other existing H2S remediation methods in
winemaking, such as the use of copper sulphate, can be negated," said
Garth Greenham, President & COO. "Despite this being primarily a
testing season for the wineries with relatively small volumes being
shipped, the key has been getting our product into use at a large and
diverse number of wineries to establish demand for our products for
next season's crush."
The company is now building out distribution for its products as it
introduces its proprietary H2S-preventing yeasts abroad. In this
regard, the company reports that its yeast is now in trials at a
number of commercial wineries in Germany in advance of opening up the
European marketplace.
About Phyterra Yeast
Hydrogen sulfide, a gas naturally emitted during fermentation,
possesses a distinct rotten-egg smell and is a well-recognized and
widespread industry problem that has long plagued winemaking. Standard
approaches to remove or reduce H2S from tainted wine can be expensive,
time-consuming and negatively affect product quality. All Phyterra
wine yeast strains possess a proprietary attribute that disables the
yeast's ability to form H2S during the fermentation phase, making them
a robust preventative solution requiring no changes to existing
production processes. Importantly, there are no negative impacts to
the sensory attributes desired by the winemaker. The company refers to
its H2S -reducing technology as a "platform technology" since, as
opposed to the customary selling propositions of most yeast strains,
it can be applied to any strain of yeast and hence has very wide
commercial opportunities. This H2S-preventing yeast technology has
been exclusively in-licensed from the University of California at
Davis.
About Functional Technologies Corp.
Functional Technologies Corp. develops and commercializes proprietary
technologies that enhance the natural properties of yeast and algae -
nature's microscopic workhorses. Our scientists apply novel techniques
to these micro-celled organisms to resolve significant health and
quality problems, and generate new opportunities in the global food,
beverage and healthcare industries. Our first commercial products are
our Phyterra line of proprietary yeast strains, designed to reduce
the formation of foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide and the carcinogen
urethane in wines and other fermented products. With a head office in
Vancouver, Functional Technologies Corp. has R&D facilities in Prince
Edward Island and a U.S. sales office in Napa Valley, California. For
more information, please visit www.functionaltechcorp.com
(http://www.functionaltechcorp.com) .
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Geoffrey Lee, Director
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER
(AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE)
ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.