IFF closes Health Wright Products acquisition, eyeing future probiotic innovation

05 Apr 2022 --- IFF has completed its acquisition of Health Wright Products, a move set to bring formulation and finished format capabilities to IFF’s Health & Biosciences probiotics.

The acquisition will allow for innovation in custom formulation and combination products through joint capabilities. It will contribute to IFF Health & Biosciences natural extracts and botanical business.

“Producing thousands of unique and complex formulations for the industry’s most trusted brands, Health Wright Products formulation and finish format capabilities will allow IFF to develop new and customize solutions and formats for a broad base of customers,” Simon Herriott, President IFF Health & Biosciences, tells NutritionInsight.

“Under IFF’s leadership, Health Wright Products will continue to invest in capacity and expand capabilities to meet the evolving needs of customers and consumers,” IFF notes.

Health Wright Products is known in the consumer health and nutrition industries for providing the highest-quality nutritional supplements, the company adds. 

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Over 225 employees at Health Wright Products will continue with the company, following the sale. 

The use of probiotics has seen an increase in demand, with a growing interest in digestive health.Broadening probiotic business
Using state-of-the-art processes and equipment, Health Wright Products manufactures custom formulations and delivers encapsulation and packaging to meet the industries’ exacting requirements for probiotic products. 

“Under IFF’s leadership, Health Wright Products will continue to invest in capacity and expand capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the customers and consumer. Additionally, the combination of IFF Health & Biosciences’ biotech innovation pipeline with Health Wright Products’ capabilities will bring new and unique products and formulations to the industry,” Herriott adds.

The company has been a “long-time business partner of IFF’s Health & Biosciences probiotics business.” The acquisition will marry Health Wright Products formulation and capsule manufacturing skills in the dietary supplement industry with IFF’s Health & Biosciences microbiome capabilities. 

Health Wright Products president Mark Wright previously said the move “is an exciting proposition” for its customers and employees, combining strong biotech innovation with quality manufacturing and formulation capabilities.

Biotech firmly on the table
IFF has been expanding its portfolio with a number of acquisitions, including DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences, completed last year. The deal was positioned as a “pivotal moment” for IFF’s ambitions to expand beyond flavors. 

Through the acquisition, IFF managed to bring biotech components to the table. Along with its Frutarom acquisition in 2018, it acquired a portfolio of ingredients that provide health benefits, the plant extract business and lipids for infant formula, among others.

At the time, IFF described the impact on industry as “mind-boggling.” 

Growing space
Industry is rife with opportunities in the probiotic space, as consumers across the globe are keen to learn more, a Chr. Hansen study recently revealed. It called on probiotic food brand owners to ensure better information to consumers. 

Demands for probiotics have expanded beyond gut health and are diversifying into areas such as weight management, stress and immunity.

Probiotic strains by IFF were also spotlighted for their potential in modulating the immune system in children through anti-inflammatory effects. 

By Andria Kades