Univar Solutions Belgium has announced an expansion of the partnership between its Foodology by Univar Solutions business and leading global ingredient provider Ingredion.
Effective from October 1, the distribution expansion will bring a variety of plant-based and clean-label products to the Benelux region. This will include plant-based proteins, Ingredion’s Novation® range of functional native starches, and a comprehensive portfolio of stevia sweeteners developed by PureCircle by Ingredion. The ingredients are intended to meet the growing demand for healthier and more sustainable products.
Univar Solutions and Ingredion have been partnering to manufacture and distribute functional ingredients for over 30 years. The expanded collaboration will bring ingredients and solutions to 20 countries across the EMEA region.
“Together with Ingredion, we stand at the forefront of ingredient innovation, committed to shaping the future of food with high-quality, effective solutions,” said Nick Powell, CEO, Ingredients + Specialties at Univar Solutions. “This enduring collaboration reaffirms our mutual dedication to excellence, service, and ingenuity in meeting the needs of our global customers. We’re grateful for Ingredion’s continued trust and look forward to driving growth and exploring new opportunities with our team, utilizing our extensive commercial network for the 16,000 food producers in Benelux.”
Consumer-focused innovation
Research published by Ingredion last year found that clean-label products were poised to revolutionize company portfolios. A huge 99% of European food manufacturers said these products were a cornerstone of their business strategy, and it was predicted that clean-label foods would constitute more than 70% of portfolios within the following two years.
Later in 2024, further Ingredion research indicated that 73% of European consumers were actively seeking products made with recognizable ingredients. It also found that clean-label claims are now the top factor driving consumer willingness to pay premium prices.
“Expanding our partnership with Univar Solutions broadens our customer reach to bring consumer-focused innovation,” said Michael O’Riordan, senior vice president of texture and healthful solutions for EMEA and Asia-Pacific at Ingredion. “Through this strengthened collaboration, we can offer our customers strategic insights, a wider portfolio of solutions, and a better customer experience enabled through digital capabilities for innovation, service, and order management.”
