Global taste and nutrition company Kerry has reached an agreement to acquire Ariake USA, the North American business of Ariake Japan Co, and Southeastern Mills’ (SEM) North American coatings and seasonings business for €325m ($360m).

Ariake USA is the North American business of Ariake Japan Co. The company is engaged in the production of natural clean-label savoury taste solutions derived from poultry, pork and vegetables at its facility in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

With specialised extraction technologies and development capabilities, Ariake USA produces a suite of tailored solutions across a number of end-use markets.

The acquisition of Ariake USA is expected to further expand Kerry’s taste and clean label portfolio.

SEM manufactures coatings and seasonings at its facility in Rome, Georgia.

The acquisition of SEM is expected to complement Kerry’s taste portfolio and further develop its offering into the meat end-use market.

It is also expected to further expand Kerry’s foundational technology portfolio and strengthen its foodservice positioning.

In September, Kerry opened its first ingredient facility in Moscow, Russia.

Occupying a site in the Istra district, Kerry’s 7,000mt² production facility and warehouse complex produces ingredients for the meat processing and snacks market.

In August, global ingredients distributor Univar’s subsidiary Univar BV reached an agreement to distribute Kerry Ingredients and Flavours’ products in the UK, Irish, Spanish and Portuguese markets.