David Michael & Co., Philadelphia, has partnered with TransFair USA to provide the first Fair Trade Certified pure vanilla in the U.S. market. Fair Trade ensures that farmers around the world use sustainable farming methods and are paid a fair price for their crops, which helps their environment and communities. Quantities of David Michael’s Fair Trade vanilla are limited for the time being due to the small number of certified growers.

Orafti Active Food Ingredients, Malvern, Pa., will present breakthrough research findings on its Beneo oligofructose ingredient at Health Ingredients Europe, Nov. 14-16 in Frankfurt, Germany. The company’s recent human trial found that Beneo oligofructose can limit hunger feelings and food intake.

Pro-Liquitech International, Louisville, Ky., recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters. The flavor and product development company remodeled a historic warehouse in Louisville that now houses its state-of-the-art lab, blending room, warehouse and office space.

Lanxess Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., announced it has chosen Symrise Inc., Holzminden, Germany, as its Eastern U.S. sales agent for Velcorin products. Velcorin is a microbial control agent for non-alcoholic beverages and wine.

Tate & Lyle has created a new venture capital fund that will invest in start-up and expansion-stage companies that manufacture next-generation food and industrial ingredients. Tate & Lyle Ventures will be led by Simon Barnes and David Atkinson. The managing partners will make all investment decisions and will be supported by Tate & Lyle’s advisory board.

Fortitech South America, Sãão Paulo, Brazil, has hired Rafael Leite as a regional sales manager. Leite will focus on Spanish-speaking countries in South America. For increased support, the company has also added ÈÈrica Spiandore to work alongside Leite in sales.

LycoRed, Fairfield, N.J., has appointed Bill Murphy as its director of the premix business unit serving the U.S. and Canada, and Jessica Calhoun as manager of technical services. The nutritional ingredient company has regional offices in the United States, Europe and Israel.