Univar Solutions BV, a subsidiary of Univar Solutions LLC, a global supplier of specialty ingredients and chemicals, has entered into an exclusive distribution partnership between its Foodology by Univar Solutions business and Ashland Inc. Ashland is an additives and specialty ingredients company recognized for its cellulose ether derivatives and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP).
This collaboration is now introducing an extensive array of cellulose ethers to the food and beverage industry in EMEA countries, starting with the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary. On March 1 the market will be extended to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Oman, followed by Turkey on April 1.
“Ashland’s specialty ingredients are a strategic addition to our existing portfolio,” said Aaron Lee, global vice president of Health & Nutrition for Univar Solutions. “We’re excited to broaden our cellulose ether offerings across EMEA, especially as the demand for alternative and plant-based proteins continues to accelerate in the nutrition space. We’re excited to build a strong partnership that brings consistency and growth while working together to spark new ideas in food and beverage.”
The new partnership covers a range of products, including methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), ethylcellulose (EC), and PVPP. In today’s food and beverage manufacturing sector, cellulose ethers play a versatile and functional role in next generation applications serving diverse markets, including vegan foods and beverages, plant-based meats, and gluten-free bakery products.
“The alliance between Ashland and Univar Solutions will provide significant value to our customers through enhanced product availability, faster delivery, specialized expertise, and improved support services partnerships,” said Alessandra Faccin Assis, senior vice president and general manager for life sciences and intermediates for Ashland. “Our products offer an array of functional benefits enabling groundbreaking advancements in food and beverage innovation and performance.”
Backed by Foodology’s technical expertise and state-of-the-art solution centers, including a flagship test kitchen in Essen, Germany, the companies are keen to collaborate on launching innovative food and beverage products and delivering sustainable, nutrition-focused solutions worldwide.
