Chatsworth Softgel Maker Acquired by Dutch Firm

Banner Gelatin Products Corp., a Chatsworth manufacturer of soft gelatin capsules, has been acquired by a subsidiary of Sobel N.V., a Dutch corporation with interests in processing slaughter byproducts, bone processing and pet food.

Sobel said that with the acquisition, its subsidiaries now operate four Softgel manufacturing plants in North America--two in the United States, one in Canada and one in Mexico. In 1990, Sobel acquired one of Banner’s main competitors, Pharmacaps Inc. in Elizabeth, N.J.

Softgel capsules, which are hermetically sealed by a natural polymer produced from animal skins and bones, have become increasingly popular because they leak when punctured--thus alerting consumers to possible tampering.