The business will trade under a new name – AAK Soya International Ltd.
AAK Soya International supplies products including non-GMO liquid lecithins, non-GMO powdered lecithins, organic lecithins and speciality lecithin solutions developed for dairy, infant nutrition, chocolate, confectionery and bakery applications. Lecithin is a natural emulsifier produced from vegetable oils such as soy, sunflower and rapeseed.
Following the acquisition, there will be no change to current lecithin supply arrangements for existing customers. However, AAK said, the new set-up provides business opportunities for new and existing customers. AAK Soya International’s products are available in more than 40 countries and the company’s reach will now extend further due to AAK’s global sales network. The company will continue to operate out of Manchester, UK.
Sonny Arora, co-founder of Soya International, will remain as managing director of AAK Soya International.
For AAK’s customers, meanwhile, the acquisition provides an opportunity to simplify operations by sourcing speciality lecithin ingredients alongside oils and fats from one supplier. There is growing demand for non-GMO, sustainably produced lecithin ingredients in traditional markets like Europe with high growth in especially the US and Asia.
Marco Oomen, global business director, chocolate & confectionery fats at AAK, said, “Our ambition is to be one of the world’s leading non-GMO lecithin suppliers, with a focus on value-adding speciality products. The establishment of AAK Soya International gives us a major foothold to do this and it’s a perfect strategic fit with AAK’s speciality oils and fats portfolio.”