PURAC’s involvement with lactic acid began in 1935 with the industrial production of lactic acid. At that time, the company was known as SMF (Schiedamse Melkzuur Fabriek) and located in Gorinchem, the Netherlands.

Since then, we have grown strongly; new production facilities were added and sales offices were opened to be closer to our customers. Nowadays, we are the largest and most experienced producer of natural lactic acid and lactic acid derivatives and a leading supplier of gluconates.

• 1780: Discovery of lactic acid by C.W Scheele
• 1935: Establishment of Schiedamse Melkzuur Fabriek (SMF) in Gorinchem
• 1961: HVA buys Industría Química de Sinteses & Fermentaçoes (IQSF), Campos, Brazil
• 1962: HVA buys SMF
• 1969: HVA/CSM joint venture under the new name of CCA
• 1982: Buyout of HVA by CSM
• 1983: Establishment of PURAC North America
• 1986: Acquisition of Luis Ayuso, Spain (Montemeló)
• 1988: Establishment of PURAC Far East
• 1989: Establishment of PURAC UK
• 1992: New name: CCA, Ayuso and Sínteses become PURAC
• 1996: PURAC Poland
• 1997: PURAC China
• 1998: PURAC Japan
• 1999: PURAC America Blair (new factory)
• 1999: PURAC Germany
• 1999: PURAC Russia
• 2002: PURAC France
• 2002: Acquisition of Glucona
• 2003: PURAC Korea
• 2006: Start construction of PURAC Thailand (new factory)
• 2007: Acquisition of lactates business of Wilke Resources, Inc.
• 2007: Sale of gluconic acid business in the USA
• 2008: PURAC Mexico