Plant-based oils and fats supplier AAK has announced its acquisition of speciality lecithin compound business, BIC Ingredients, for an undisclosed sum.
BIC Ingredients, a subsidiary of BIC International Holding, sources raw materials from numerous regions around the world to produce lecithin – an unrefined emulsifier composed of plant-based oils such as soy, sunflower and rapeseed.
Alec van Veldhoven, commercial director at AAK, said: “BIC Ingredients is a natural fit with our business. BIC’s existing lecithin customers will now be able to benefit from AAK’s unique customer co-development approach, which is driven by customer needs, built on collaboration, and geared for better success rates and lasting value. By expanding our portfolio further, we will be able to create even better solutions in close collaboration with our customers globally.”
Harro de Groot, CEO of BIC International Holding, commented: “I am pleased for our customers that BIC’s lecithin business will now be integrated into AAK’s co-development approach, focusing on finding solutions for the customers we serve, alongside our current high standards of quality assurance”.
He continued: “My team and myself will remain involved in the business and will continue to support AAK’s natural emulsifiers team over the next three years. This transaction will further enable BIC International Holding to increase its focus on plant-based protein through our entity BIC Protein.”
The acquisition is said to give customers “the opportunity to source speciality lecithin ingredients alongside oils and fats from one trusted supplier”.
AAK will incorporate BIC Ingredients’ portfolio into its current speciality lecithin offering, which is sold under the Akolec brand.
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