Global ingredients group Ingredion has formed a strategic alliance with Sweden’s Lyckeby to bring the Swedish potato starch processor’s products to food makers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The tie-up, which kicks off at the beginning of September, will see Ingredion offer Lyckeby’s “broad portfolio” of potato starch and fibre products to its customers across the EMEA region and also in Asia-Pacific.
Expanding product portfolio
The cooperation agreement is part of Ingredion’s drive to expand its product portfolio, Claudia Fiannaca, senior manager of strategic alliances, Ingredion EMEA, told FoodNavigator.
“This is all part of our plan to expand our portfolio of speciality ingredients that help customers develop products to address growing and rapidly evolving consumer trends,” Fiannaca said.
The combined Ingredion-Lyckeby’s product portfolio will “open-up new possibilities in various food applications including meat, cheese, batters and breadings,” Ingredion noted.
The distribution deal will enable Ingredion to provide food manufacturers with “extended functionalities” such as improved crispiness in low moisture systems, processability in savoury applications and control of melt and stretch in cheese analogues.
“Through the new alliance, Ingredion is able to offer a full range of modified starch bases including potato. With such an extensive portfolio to draw upon, we can provide customers with the best ingredient solution for their application and functionality requirements,” Fiannaca revealed.
The ingredients provider has plans to expand its reach further still, the executive added. “Our portfolio currently covers dressings, cheese and meat applications and we plan to extend this further in the near future.”
Jorgen Kokke, Ingredion president of APAC and EMEA, added that the strategic partnership also offers synergies between the two groups.
He commented: “There are clear synergies between the two companies, from our combined technical expertise to our shared commitment to providing consistent, high-quality ingredients. We now have a full portfolio of modified starches and flours, which we can draw upon to advise customers on the best ingredient solution for their application and functionality requirements.”
Founded in 1927, Lyckeby is owned by around 600 potato growing farmers across Southern Sweden. The company manages and operates the entire supply chain from seed cultivation to the production of food ingredients.
Hans Berggren, CEO of Lyckeby, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Ingredion enabling us to expand our reach into key territories and food applications. By combining our individual business and technical strengths, we will bring more value to food manufacturers as well as our farmers. One way we will achieve this is by exploring new functionalities for our product portfolio.”
Source: Food Navigator
