Symrise dairy alliance with First Choice

Symrise has entered into a business alliance with First Choice Ingredients, securing its supply of raw dairy products so it can expand its natural dairy flavor portfolio in the US.

The company said that by integrating basic dairy raw materials and expertise in fermentation science, the agreement could give Symrise a competitive edge in the dairy flavor sector.

Its dairy portfolio will now include “an extensive and ever-growing assembly of enzyme modified cheese flavors, dairy building blocks, and a wide range of milk, cream and butter flavors”.

This is expected to help the company build on the strength of its flavor portfolio in the snacks, savory, dairy and prepared foods segments.

First Choice, based in Germantown, Wisconsin, was a Symrise supplier before entering the newly formed strategic business alliance.

Now it will be Symrise’s direct sourcing base of key raw materials for the production of enzyme modified dairy flavors, benefiting from its dairy fermentation expertise.

Dr Heinz-Juergen Bertram, global president, Symrise Flavor & Nutrition Division, said: “The relationship is designed to secure and grow our dairy flavor portfolio, particularly expanding our leadership in enzyme modified dairy flavors.”

Expanding

The alliance also follows Symrise’s acquisition of Chr Hansen's flavorings business, which was approved in April and was expected to bring the company broader market coverage in the US, as well as a more diverse ingredients portfolio.

Dr Matthias Guentert, president, Symrise Flavor & Nutrition North America, said: “The complementary legacies of Symrise, Chr. Hansen, and First Choice Ingredients have come together.

“As a result, Symrise anticipates dynamic growth through innovative fermentation initiatives that will produce authentic and cost-efficient natural dairy flavor profiles.

“The vertical integration of basic dairy raw materials and exceptional competencies in fermentation science creates an important point of difference from our competition.”

He added that Symrise would continue to maintain the R&D, business development and sourcing presence in Wisconsin in order to continue operations in proximity to the dairy industry.

Symrise and First Choice will fund and manage their own dedicated Dairy Flavor Innovations teams.

The formulas for Symrise’s traditional Dariteen products and other proprietary product lines remain Symrise’s exclusive property.