The companies have the goal of reducing zinc deficiency among 100 million people in developing countries by 2015.
Zinc is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms that protects the body from illnesses and helps fight infections, yet two billion people around the world are not getting enough zinc through their diet.
According to the World Health Organisation, zinc deficiency is one of the leading risk factors associated with diseases such as diarrhoea, contributing to the deaths of 800,000 people each year.
Through this agreement, BASF and Teck aim to make safe and cost-effective high-quality zinc solutions available to populations at risk of zinc deficiency in developing countries, the company said. Zinc from Teck’s Trail Operations will be turned into high grade zinc oxide by GH Chemicals in Montreal, Canada, which BASF will use to make food fortification supplements.
Kurt Bock, chairman of the Board of executive directors of BASF, said: “Providing healthy food and nutrition to a growing world population is one of the major challenges of the future. Together with its customers and partners such as Teck, BASF contributes to the development of innovative, sustainable solutions.”
The agreement builds on Teck’s existing Zinc and Health programme which includes partnerships with UNICEF, Free the Children, the Micronutrient Initiative of the Government of Canada and other organisations.
Don Lindsay, president and CEO of Teck, said: “As one of the world’s largest producers of zinc, we recognise we have the ability to make a difference. Through this partnership, we are developing solutions that will enhance zinc micronutrient distribution systems, reduce instances of zinc deficiency in developing countries and ultimately improve human health.”
Source: BASF/Teck
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