ADM has reached an agreement to acquire the Ziegler Group, a European provider of natural citrus flavour ingredients. The agreement comes shortly after ADM completed its addition of U.S.-based citrus flavour provider Florida Chemical.

“Ziegler is highly respected as a cutting-edge leader in citrus, and we’re excited to welcome their outstanding leadership and talent to ADM,” said Vince Macciocchi, president of ADM’s Nutrition business. “The combination of Ziegler and Florida Chemical will immediately position ADM for growth as a global leader in natural citrus ingredients, with a complete range of innovative citrus solutions and systems for food, beverage and fragrance customers.”

Founded in 1963, Ziegler uses proprietary cold concentration technologies to produce natural high-quality citrus oils, extracts, concentrates and compounds for flavour, food, and beverage industry customers, focusing on Europe, the U.S. and Japan. The company is privately held and headquartered in Aufsess, in southern Germany.

“We are delighted that we found a strong home at ADM wher both our business and our people can grow,” said Günter Ziegler. “The integration of more than 50 years of citrus expertise into the ADM group will secure our top priority: successful long-term growth for our business and our employees. Our family members will be staying with the company to help ensure a smooth transition. We’re excited to join ADM and strongly believe that the combination of our technology and citrus capabilities, coupled with the portfolio of ingredients and global reach of ADM, will accelerate growth opportunities while creating benefits for our customers.”

“Citrus is one of the fastest-growing, highest-demand flavours for food and beverages, which is why the creation of a global citrus platform offering a complete product line for our customers is such an important capability for our growth strategy,” Macciocchi continued. “We’re continuing the most ambitious portfolio transformation in our company’s long history, and as we build the world’s leading nutrition company, the beneficiaries will be our customers and our shareholders.”

The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.