AAK is on track to purchase BIC Ingredients, the lecithin arm of BIC International Holding, significantly increasing its footprint in the European lecithin market and furthering its strategy of becoming a key supplier of specialty lecithin.

BIC Ingredients supplies non-GM specialty lecithin and lecithin compounds. The Netherlands-based company sources its raw materials from various global regions.

Fit for purpose
AAK will integrate BIC Ingredients’ products into its current portfolio of specialty lecithins, sold under the Akolec brand.

“BIC Ingredients is a natural fit with our business. BIC’s existing lecithin customers will now be able to benefit from AAK’s unique customer co-development approach, which is driven by customer needs, built on collaboration, and geared for better success rates and lasting value,” says Alec van Veldhoven, commercial director at AAK Natural Emulsifiers. 

“This transaction will further enable BIC International Holding to increase its focus on plant-based protein through our entity BIC Protein,” adds Harro de Groot, CEO of BIC International Holding. 

Lecithin is a natural emulsifier produced from plant-based oils such as soy, sunflower and rapeseed.“I am pleased that BIC’s lecithin business will now be integrated into AAK’s co-development approach, focusing on finding solutions for the customers we serve, alongside our current high standards of quality assurance.”

Global leadership
AAK’s acquisition of BIC Ingredients represents the next step in the company’s strategy to become a key player in specialty lecithin.

The company says that it is also an opportunity for customers to source specialty lecithin ingredients alongside oils and fats from one supplier. 

Lecithin heats up
The lecithin market is gaining momentum in Europe. 

In June, Sternchemie unveiled SternPur S DH 50 – a hydrolyzed, de-oiled sunflower lecithin that was tipped as an “ideal alternative to artificial emulsifiers.”

The company also recently received a Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) “letter of no objection” from the US Food and Drug Administration for its range of sunflower lecithins. 

In February, FoodIngredientsFirst reported that Sternchemie addressed the growing demand for transparency and higher quality expectations among consumers for lecithin solutions. 

Meanwhile, earlier this month, French lecithin producer Novastell highlighted how the perception that organic products are better-for-you resonates with consumers, particularly Millennials. 

Also, in June, Bunge extended its distribution channel for lecithins in Europe through an exclusive agreement between its plant-based lipids business. The deal allows IMCD to distribute BLC’s complete BungeMaxx lecithin portfolio in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.