Dive Brief:
- Nexira, an ingredient manufacturer, plans to expand its health and nutrition sector above 35% by 2020, reported Food Ingredients First.
- The company will explore protein options from vegetable sources, deploying an internal task force. The proteins will be offered as a specialty in niche markets, and not as a commodity.
- Nexira’s officials want to diversify offerings; it also plans to explore international acquisitions as part of its growth strategy.
Dive Insight:
With future acquisitions, Nexira wants to evade talk of being acquired itself. The company will most likely look toward non-France companies specializing in food or health. "The food division is still full of opportunities that would be a shame not to take into consideration," Mathieu Dondain, managing director, Nexira, told Food Ingredients First.
Nexira joins other natural ingredient manufacturers that are exploring growth strategies focused on proteins, and clean label offerings. For example, Firmenich is developing natural food ingredients from marine proteins.
Earlier this year, Archer Daniels Midland purchased Harvest Innovations, whose product line-up includes non-GMO soy chips, expeller-pressed soy flour, and textured vegetable protein. The company also manufactures organic soy crisps, and gluten-free flours and pastas.