Ingredion has acquired the operations of Western Polymer, a privately held, U.S.-based company headquartered in Moses Lake, Washington that produces native and modified potato starches for food and industrial applications and also sells modified tapioca starch for industrial applications. The acquisition will, says Ingredion, expand the companys potato starch manufacturing capacity, enhance processing capabilities, and broaden its higher-value specialty ingredients business and customer base. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"This next phase of growth is consistent with other actions weve taken to strengthen our specialties business and deliver long-term value for our shareholders," said Jim Zallie, Ingredions president and chief executive officer. "This acquisition expands our higher-value specialty ingredients business, which is central to Ingredions growth strategy. We have tremendous respect for the culture and business that Western Polymer has built and we look forward to the future opportunities that we will create together."

"Were excited to leverage the strengths of Western Polymer and Ingredion to continue developing high-quality ingredients that align with consumer trends and customers needs," said Lynn Townsend-White, president and chief executive officer of Western Polymer. "By coming together now, this enables even greater reach for our ingredients and positions the business for continued growth."