Gillco Ingredients and Cosucra Inc., the North American subsidiary of parent company Cosucra Groupe Warcoing S.A., have entered into a distribution agreement. The move comes amid a boom in plant-based and sustainable proteins tailored to US consumers.

Gillco will distribute Fibruline; Fibrulose-branded chicory root fiber specialty ingredients; and Nastar native pea starch; Swelite pea cell-wall fiber; and Pisane organic pea protein to its end-customers.

Sustainable ingredients rise
Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Tara Dekovic, marketing and partnership manager at Gillco, flags the importance of environmental sustainability across F&B. 

“It is one of Coscura’s key pillars. The time to highlight those putting sustainability at the forefront is now to reduce waste or make delicious plant-based offerings. Cosucra’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices, innovative offerings, and solution-based approach drew us in and aligned with Gillco’s core values,” she explains. 

“We are thrilled to be offering Cosucra’s lineup of chicory root fiber, pea protein, pea fiber and pea starch. These ingredients are in high demand, especially as the food, beverage, and nutraceutical landscape is continuing to shift toward plant-based, sustainable and health-conscious trends.”

Plant-based gathers speed
Research has shown a steady increase in plant-based consumption and a desire for added protein claims across the food and beverage industry. 

In line with Innova Market Insights’ Top Ten Trends for this year, the “Plant-Forward” theme spotlights expansion to different regions and categories in 2021.

“Every day, a plant-based meat company is in the news,” says Dekovic. “Behind soy protein, pea protein is the second most desired plant-based protein source. Health-conscious, flexitarian, vegan and vegetarian consumers are driving this demand,” she continues. 

Cosucra’s Pisane pea protein, available in both conventional and organic, is “an excellent solution for a sustainable protein source,” according to Dekovic. 

“Even with plant-based consumption on the rise, we can’t forget that Cosucra’s offerings are also a fantastic fit for meat applications. There is something for everyone,” she affirms. 

Pea ingredients are incredibly versatile and effective in a wide range of applications. Dekovic predicts continuous growth in the meat alternative, plant-based dairy and savory snack spaces. Still, she also says pea is a key functional ingredient in other applications such as noodles, sauces, protein concentrates, diet products and beverages. 

“The application opportunities are endless.”

Research has shown a steady increase in plant-based consumption and a desire for added protein claims across F&B categories.
Gillco has been selling chicory root fiber since 2001. 

Mike Montgomery, president of Gillco Ingredients, says the company’s experience and knowledge will allow Gillco to help its customers every step of the way, “from ideation to shelf.” 

“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Cosucra and are particularly fond of their ‘tailor-made’ solutions approach. The pea offerings complement our current ingredient line up perfectly,” adds Shelley Becht, vice president of sales at marketing at Gillco Ingredients. 

“This strategic partnership is a natural fit.”

Dekovic says the company’s long-term goal is to educate customers on its new offerings and gain market share in emerging categories. 

“We feel that Cosucra’s products complement our current portfolio, including items manufactured by Big Country Foods, Cargill, Corbion and IFF, and will increase our opportunities to cross-sell.” 

In October 2019, Cosucra continued its development in the fast-evolving market for plant-based foods with the opening of a second pea processing plant in Denmark.