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Brenntag has made further steps in strengthening its business in China with the closing of two acquisitions within its Specialties division. The German ingredients distribution specialist most recently acquired the first tranche (67 %) of Zhongbai Xingye. The closing of the second tranche – and thus the full acquisition of the Chinese food ingredients specialist – is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The acquisition of the leading player in mainland China is an important step for Brenntag to become a full-line distributor of food ingredients in the Asian market.

Additionally, at the end of last month, Brenntag completed the acquisition of pigments and additives specialist Wellstar Group from Hongkong, which operates three subsidiaries in Mainland China located in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai. It acquired the remaining 49 % of shares of the joint venture. “Strengthening our Specialties division, particularly in China, as well as in the Asia Pacific region in general, is a central pillar of our company’s mergers and acquisitions strategy,” says Henri Nejade, management board member of Brenntag and COO of Brenntag Specialties.

ADM has agreed to acquire Sojaprotein – a European provider of high-value soy ingredients – to expand its plant protein production capacity and customer base. The Serbian company is the largest producer of plant-based proteins in Southern Europe and offers a wide array of exclusively non-GMO vegetable protein ingredients. Applications expand to the meat alternative, confectionery, protein bar, pharmaceutical and feed categories. With Sojaprotein’s reach into 65 countries and over USD 100 m in sales in 2020, the move is touted as another feather in the cap for ADM as it expands to meet global demand for plant-based proteins.

“Sojaprotein has a wide range of diverse products that few soybean processors can boast, and its special comparative advantage is the processing of genetically unmodified soybeans,” says Leticia Gonçalves, ADM’s president of global foods. “Alternative proteins represent one of our core growth platforms. And as this USD 10 billion global industry grows to USD 30 billion over the next decade, we are investing to expand our capabilities.”

French food ingredients supplier Azelis has acquired Quimdis, a French distributor of food ingredients and specialty chemicals for other sectors. This acquisition strengthens Azelis’ offering to fast-growing and attractive markets while also enhancing the position of Azelis France in the life sciences sector. Quimdis now specializes in the ingredients distribution and formulation development, with solid positions in the French market and with sales into more than 45 countries.

Givaudan Group’s flavour business was impacted during the first six months of the year, as its foodservice segment struggled with Covid-19 pandemic outcomes. However, in its most recent financial overview, the flavour house reports a “strong recovery” in the second quarter due to lifted out-of-home restrictions in certain markets. Robust growth was achieved across most product segments and geographies, with the mature markets growing at 6.1 % and the high growth markets at 10.4 % on a like-for-like basis.

The company’s sales for the first six months of the year were reported at CHF 3.4 bn, an increase of 7.9 % on a like-for-like basis and 4.7 % in CHF. The Taste & Wellbeing segment reported sales of CHF 1.8 bn, an increase of 6.1 % on a like-for-like basis and 2.5 % in CHF.

Givaudan’s gross profit increased by 8.9 % from CHF 1.4 bn in 2020 to CHF 1.5 bn in 2021. Due to high operating leverage related to the strong sales volume growth and cost discipline, the gross margin increased to 43.9 % in 2021 compared to 42.2 % in 2020.

“I am really pleased with our strong performance in the first half of 2021, with all parts of our business contributing to the excellent financial results and a strong contribution from our 2025 strategic growth areas,” says CEO Gilles Andrier. Among its targets for 2025, Givaudan is aiming to achieve organic sales growth of 4 to 5 % on a like-for-like basis and free cash flow of at least 12 %, both measured as an average over the five-year period strategy cycle.

Barry Callebaut is teaming up with French vanilla supplier Prova to launch a new charter in Madagascar that will boost its vanilla sourcing credentials. The tie-up will bring 100 % sustainability to Barry Callebaut’s North American “Better For You” chocolate portfolio.

In addition, the Swiss chocolate giant is moving toward 100 % sustainably sourced cacao within this product range. These developments along both supply chains are hailed as important steps toward the company’s 2025 “Forever Chocolate” sustainability goals.

Barry Callebaut’s “Better For You” portfolio includes – but is not limited to – sugar solutions (sugar-free, reduced sugar and no sugar added), high-protein, dairy-free and organic solutions. The portfolio has seen high growth and innovation in recent years, the supplier highlights. Barry Callebaut and Prova will fund and support local communities through social, health and education programs.

Mosca tops the list of winners in the “Germany’s Best – Sustainability” category of Focus Money’s prestigious awards for German companies. The company thus sets the benchmark for the industry in the “Mechanical and Plant Engineering” category, in which 34 companies were ranked.

The award was made as part of the “Germany’s Best – Sustainability” study conducted by the IMWF (Institute for Management and Economic Research) on behalf of Focus Money and Deutschland Test. The study looked at around 24,000 companies and brands in the period from March 2020 to February 2021. The criteria of the award, which gives equal weight to the areas of ecology, economy and social issues, prove that sustainability goes far beyond environmental protection.

Tereos has inked a strategic sourcing agreement with Swiss flavour house Firmenich for stevia extracts. The move will allow the company to offer its customers traceable stevia-based sweetening solutions worldwide. According to Tereos, the new agreement with Firmenich is crucial to the sweeteners industry so that Tereos can “build on unparalleled expertise in taste and further accelerate its innovation in sugar reduction.”

Stevia extract is one of several options that Tereos has been offering to meet customers’ sweetening needs. The company’s product portfolio includes sweetness options, bulking agents, fibres and proteins, which add up to a complete set of solutions supported by proven reformulation expertise. By combining Tereos’ solutions with Firmenich’s range of stevia extracts and building on high expertise in taste, this agreement further accelerates Tereos’ innovation in sugar reduction.