Bangalore, India - Sami Labs Limited, the research and manufacturing arm of Sabinsa Corporation, recently held a ceremony to mark the beginning of operation of its Supercritical Fluid Extract Facility in Bangalore, India.

This facility was inaugurated by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Director General, CSIR, Government of India and Shri.D.B.Inamdar, Honorble Minister for IT, BT and Tourism, Government of Karnataka. Also present were Dr. Muhammed Majeed, Chairman & Managing Director, Sami Group of Companies as well as representatives from IIT, Bombay, which developed the technology utilized.

IIT Bombay developed this technology under the Government of India’s ‘Technology Mission’. This is the first commercialization of the technology, which works at atmospheric pressures to more than 300 bars for selective extraction of active compounds from natural products for pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical usage.

In his opening remarks Sabinsa founder Dr. Muhammed Majeed welcomed the dignitaries and described the role played by the company in herbal extractions and exports to US, Japan and European countries.

Dr. Mashelkar stated that efforts of this kind made by Sami Labs Ltd. should be applauded. In his remarks he cited Dr. Muhammed Majeed as a "Technopreneur", a blend of a Scientist and a successful entrepreneur.

Shri. D.B. Inamdar, Honorable Minister for IT, BT & Tourism, Government of Karnataka expressed appreciation for the company’s efforts in collaborating with the farmers for cultivation of medicinal plants, thereby giving farmers an opportunity for their economic growth.

Dr. S. Baser, Prof. IIT Bombay in his presentation emphasized the importance and advantages of SCFE process and the basic research carried out at IIT Bombay in collaboration with Sami Labs to develop and commercialize this project in an economical way. This led to a compact design of the facility at a cost less than half compared to any other imported facilities of this kind.