Globa ingredient solutions developer Ingredion has completed the acquisition of the rice starch and rice flour business from Sun Flour Industry, which is based in Banglen, Thailand.

The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Ingredion Asia-Pacific and EMEA senior vice-president and president Jorgen Kokke said: "This acquisition not only supports Ingredions global strategy to increase our higher-value speciality ingredients portfolio, it also strengthens our capability to produce clean label starches, a growing category.

"There is an increased demand for foods that are perceived as more natural and wholesome, and rice is a versatile, on-trend ingredient that addresses these demands."

With the acquisition, Ingredion now operates four manufacturing facilities and has 870 employees in Thailand.

Ingredion has been engaged in producing sweeteners, starches and nutrition ingredients that are used in food and beverages sector.

The company has also been involved in transforming grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant materials into value-added biomaterial solutions for the paper and corrugating, brewing and other industries.