Solvay has invested in Suanfarma’s Cipan manufacturing site in Portugal to develop its biotechnological capabilities and support the development of natural ingredients, especially in the vanillin category.

The transaction is the first step of a long-term strategic alliance with Suanfarma, owned by global life science investment firm ArchiMed. It will be completed by mid-2023. The financial details have not been disclosed.

“Today, we source bio-based technologies including guar, natural vanillin and bio-sourced solvents. This new platform will open up new opportunities enabled by biotechnology across our markets,” Jo Grosemans, growth director, Solvay Natural tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

“Our teams are working on promising new ingredients that answer customer needs while reducing environmental impact and resource consumption,” he says. 

Sustainable production
The move aligns with Solvay’s goal of producing ingredients sustainably while meeting consumer demand for more natural, healthier foods. 

“This first step of our collaboration with Suanfarma provides access to efficiently raise our existing capacities on natural ingredients, including our flagship natural vanillin, Rhovanil Natural CW,” says Grosemans.

“Produced through a natural fermentation process with the highest standards of quality control and traceability, Rhovanil Natural is manufactured in Europe and offers reliable and future-proof supply to our customers,” Grosemans explains.The investment is in line with Solvay’s newly formed Renewable Materials and Biotechnology growth platform. 

Solvay’s Rhovanil Natural can be used to formulate natural flavors and natural vanilla flavours (95/5 type) and is also used as a direct replacement of synthetic vanillin in food applications such as chocolate, confectionery, baked goods and dairy products.  
The Renewable materials and biotechnology growth platform aims to meet growing demand for sustainable solutions by increasing the share of renewable carbon in its product offering and creating business opportunities facilitated by biotechnology. 

Consumers are paying more attention to food labels and composition. Transparency and understanding ingredients is becoming a key factor in everyday purchases. As a result, consumer expectations for clean labels, or even clear labels as well natural and sustainable ingredients are rising. This is also in line with Innova Market Insights Top Trend for 2021, “Transparency Triumphs.” 

Notably, the food industry is looking to meet increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients and healthier products. With the company’s Rhovanil Natural, Solvay provides a unique solution that enables manufacturers to incorporate natural vanillin in their recipes easily. 

Solvay’s portfolio evolution
Last December, Solvay partnered with supply chain software specialist BanQu to launch a transactional platform based on blockchain for its Indian supply chain for guar gum, a key ingredient in processed foods and natural hair care formulas. The supplier is the first chemical company to introduce BanQu and its blockchain platform in the country, as part of its Sustainable Guar Initiative.

In other moves, Solvay sold the Vanifolia formulated product line to Eurovanille, a key player in the processing of natural vanilla-flavored products for the food sector. 

As part of the deal, Solvay will maintain ownership of its Rhovanil business line features vanillin obtained by a fully mastered manufacturing chain. It will also provide Rhovanil Natural CW to Eurovanille for the production of Vanifolia for the next three years.

Solvay’s portfolio comprises food formulations that use its Rhovanil Natural CW as the primary ingredient and are developed for baking, chocolate and confectionery and instant powder beverages.