Edible oils specialist, AAK, has expanded its ingredient portfolio by taking an 80% stake in the UK’s Soya International (Europe).
The company specialises on the sourcing, processing and distribution on non-GMO semi-speciality and speciality lecithins – a natural emulsifier and by-product from the processing of vegetable oils.
“Lecithin is a key ingredient for many customers within our core segments, especially chocolate & confectionery fats and bakery, but also dairy, special nutrition, and personal care,”says Johan Westman, President and CEO of AAK.
“By expanding our portfolio with this value-adding ingredient, we will further enhance our co-development capabilities and be able to create even better solutions in close collaboration with our customers globally.”
Soya International was founded in 1996 by brothers Sonny and Sonu Arora and operates out of Manchester.
It has a third-party processing facility in the Netherlands and holds well-established relationships with customers and distributors in 40 markets globally.
Sonny Arora will remain Managing Director of the business which will trade under the name of AAK Soya International Ltd.
The deal includes an option under which AAK could acquire the remaining 20% of the company within the next 2–5 years.
