Please Introduce yourself and BTSA
My name is Ana Ugidos, and I am the CEO, Chairman of the Board and co-founder of BTSA, the first European manufacturer of natural antioxidants based on tocopherols.
What differentiates BTSA from others?
At BTSA we have had a clear objective since the foundation of our company and that is to manufacture the best natural antioxidant at the best possible price. To achieve this, we offer not only products of the highest quality, but also a pre-sales and after-sales customer service that completes a unique experience for our customers.
All of this is enhanced by a fundamental part of our company, our R&D department, which performs a unique task in the market, helping customers in the development of products perfectly adapted to the specific applications they are looking for, as well as in advising them on the exact dosage that allows them to obtain an unbeatable cost-benefit ratio.
How did the collaboration with Denk Ingredients come about?
The paths of Denk and BTSA crossed during a trade show in Barcelona, more than 25 years ago.
From the beginning, both companies understood each other almost perfectly. The goal of satisfying customers with products and ingredients of the highest quality and at the best price was the common thread from the very beginning of our collaboration.
I would also like to point out that Denk is, of all our partners, the company that has been distributing our products for the longest time, which speaks volumes about the high degree of understanding and trust between the two companies.
What is your favorite BTSA Ingredient and why?
Undoubtedly, Tocobiol® stands out, a natural antioxidant developed exclusively by BTSA. It is a unique product made from natural tocopherols from non-GMO soybean and sunflower oil. It is the perfect product to protect foods and nutritional supplements, preserving their active ingredients and increasing their shelf life.
In addition, I could not miss the opportunity to talk about our latest launch, Tocobiol® Organic, which is the world’s first organic antioxidant based on tocopherols. A product that provides a solution to a growing demand in the market.
What is BTSA’s goal in terms of sustainability?
Our commitment to sustainability is in the DNA of our company and our business model. The main raw materials used in the manufacture of natural antioxidants are by-products from the distillation processes of vegetable oil refineries for human consumption. What we do at BTSA is to revalue these by-products and transform them into natural additives (antioxidants) and nutrients (vitamin E).
On the other hand, the by-products that we generate at BTSA are subsequently reused for the manufacture of biodiesel, so we do not generate direct waste from our activity.
Furthermore, in order to contribute to environmental protection and the fight against climate change, we strive to reduce finite resources and replace them with renewable ones. Therefore, in our facilities we only use electricity from 100% renewable sources and we have solar panels for the production of sanitary hot water, considerably reducing our carbon footprint.
What is the greatest challenge the industry is facing?
Undoubtedly, reconciling the global food system with the needs of the planet, in order to give a positive response to the growing consumer demand for a healthy and environmentally friendly diet.
To combat this challenge, BTSA’s antioxidants play a fundamental role, as they prolong the shelf life of food by delaying the inevitable oxidation process, allowing products to last longer and reach every corner of the world.
We also collaborate with a project in Africa, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture in this continent.
What is the most interesting trend you see for the industry in 2022?
In a world threatened by climate change and population growth, combining food and sustainability is a big challenge. That’s why I see everything related to the food of the future, i.e. food that is produced in a laboratory, as one of the most interesting trends in the sector. For example, cultured meat is one of the great innovations of our century, integrating food safety, animal welfare and sustainability in a product suitable for everyone.
At BTSA, we have joined forces with other entities in the food sector and research organizations to advance the production of meat from cellular agriculture, with the aim of achieving a more sustainable and healthier agri-food sector.
Impressions from BTSA
