Ambienta has revealed that its platform company Nactarome, a key European player in the European markets for food colors, flavors and ingredients, continues its growth with the acquisition of Fabbrica Italiana Aromi Speciali (FIAS).

With the move, Nactarome grows its revenues above €135 million (US$152 million) from the initial €30 million (US$33.8 million), spreading its manufacturing footprint to ten specialized plants across Italy, the UK, France and Belgium.

Nactarome further strengthens its focus on natural products, R&D, innovation and service level to serve an extensive and diversified customer base across 100 countries worldwide.

Ambienta continues to capitalize on this growth trend, building Nactarome into a key European platform for natural ingredients.Sweet markets expansion 
The acquisition of FIAS solidifies the position of Nactarome in Italian ice cream and sweet markets; reinforces the Nactarome brand and competitive positioning in Germany thanks to FIAS’ strategic presence in the country, allowing further development in continuity with Nactarome’s strategy. 

Following the acquisition of Pharmorgana at the beginning of 2021, it strengthens the access to vanilla-based raw materials by bringing in-house competencies, know-how and close relationships with strategic natural vanilla suppliers.

In line with the overall food industry, the sweet and bakery markets are being significantly impacted by robust and long-term sustainability trends, as demand is radically shifting toward more natural and healthier products. 

Clean label trends are also shaping growth in the ice cream and bakery segments as customers demand more artisanal, natural products rather than industrial ones. 

Customized flavors
FIAS, founded in 1968 by Luciano Cunial in Vanzago, Italy, is a producer of tailored and customized flavors in sweet and beverage products with a strong market reputation, especially in its core segment of ice cream and bakery. 

Over the years, FIAS has diversified its production, serving several food industry sectors and developing relevant expertise in vanilla-based flavors and promoting a strong focus on environmental sustainability. 

The firm is FSSC 22000 certified and part of IOFI (International Organization of the Flavour Industry), a category association that allows FIAS to be constantly updated and compliant with international regulations and standards on flavors. This partnership with Nactarome will ensure FIAS owners and management to continue, in their current roles, the development of the firm’s activities in the international ice cream markets as a unique Group Competence Center with a significant market share.

Dr. Hans Udo Wenzel, founder and chairman of Nactarome, believes the acquisition of FIAS is an important further step in the company’s overall strategy to improve and complement its position in the main application areas for Food Flavors and Colors. FIAS develops bespoke natural top-notes flavors for sweet and beverages applications, with a particular expertise in vanilla-based flavors.

On the acquisition trail
The move is the sixth add-on acquisition by Ambienta in three years, as it continues to build Nactarome as a key European platform in natural colors, flavors and ingredients for the F&B sector.

In April, Ambienta acquired seasonings manufacturer TasteConnection with sights set on growing clean label flavors across Europe. 

Meanwhile, in May 2020, Ambienta acquired 100% of Create Flavours, a UK producer of natural top-notes flavors. 

Ambienta also acquired a majority stake in France-headquartered Nactis Flavours Group, under a new holding called Nactarome, in January 2020.