BI Nutraceuticals, a global full service manufacturer and supplier of plant-based ingredients in the US, has been acquired by the Martin Bauer Group, a global botanical expert for an undisclosed sum. Effective March 25, 2019, the partnership allows both organizations to broaden their portfolio of ingredients, while being supported by an expansive manufacturing platform. The acquisition is claimed to create an extensive portfolio of plant-based ingredients and a versatile manufacturing hub servicing the US tea, beverage, food, and dietary supplement industries.

BI’s partnership with the Martin Bauer Group allows the company to expand its food, beverage and dietary supplement ingredient offerings. Both companies share a long-standing reputation as experts in quality sourcing and manufacturing processes. The move is aimed at helping to further their growth as the demand for safe and responsibly sourced ingredients continues to grow in the domestic market.

“The addition of BI Nutraceuticals to our group buttresses our commitment to reliable, quality, safe and clean label raw materials, meeting an increasing demand from our customers and consumers,” stated Ennio Ranaboldo, CEO of Martin Bauer Group in North America. The two companies will continue to operate independently, and further communications will be issued to ensure seamless integration both internally and for all customers.

George Pontiakos, President and CEO of BI confirmed to FoodIngredientsFirst that the move will allow BI to strengthen its international position. “Martin Bauer is a major player across the world, BI has been mainly North American centric,” he notes. Under the Martin Bauer umbrella, he expects that BI will be able to serve as a single source solution with global sourcing and processing locations.

“Martin Bauer Group offers over 200 fruit and herbal teas that will complement our extensive line of botanical and nutritional ingredients, which includes plant-based powders, powder extracts, fibers, proteins, vitamin mineral premixes and much more. Martin Bauer Group will also add liquid extractions on top of our powder extraction capabilities,” Pontiakos notes.

BI positions itself as a leading manufacturer of plant-based ingredients to the food & beverage, dietary supplement, personal care, and pet care industries. With an eye on nutrition, food safety, and consumer trends, BI provides an array of options for manufacturers by offering single ingredients and custom blends. Their product portfolio consists of hundreds of ingredients including plant-based powders, extracts, proteins, fibers, vitamin mineral premixes and more.

The Martin Bauer Group is a family-owned international company with a long history as a manufacturer and supplier of teas, extracts and botanical products that goes back more than 135 years. “BI Nutraceuticals will now have access to the global resources of the Martin Bauer Group in the areas of raw materials sourcing, processing technology, liquid extract production and research and development. As part of the Martin Bauer Group, we become a true single source solution provider. Our customers can be even more confident in our long-standing commitment to safety, quality, service and innovation,” says Pontiakos.

German-headquartered Martin Bauer has been looking to strengthen its position internationally. In October 2018, the company opened its expanded tea extract manufacturing facility in Hangzhou, China. The new 200,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility doubled the site’s capacity for green and black tea extracts to meet the rising global demand. As the use of extracts for RTD and other beverage applications continues to grow in North America, the investment in China enables the company to service major tea brands and grow its overall presence in the beverage industry. The company confirmed at the time that a significant portion of the plant’s production will be used for the US business.