CEAMSA expands citrus fiber portfolio with new acquisition
Key takeaways
- CEAMSA has acquired Dutch firm PeelPioneers’ citrus fiber line and related IP to expand its upcycled, natural texturizing ingredient portfolio.
- The deal strengthens CEAMSA’s Ceamfibre range, supporting applications that require water-binding, emulsifying, and texture stabilization.
- The acquisition aligns with rising demand for fiber-rich and circular ingredients, driven by gut health and weight management trends.
Texturizing ingredient firm CEAMSA (Compañía Española de Algas Marinas) has acquired the Finix fiber line and associated intellectual property of Dutch circular company PeelPioneers. The move will expand CEAMSA’s natural fiber solutions and advance its focus on citrus fiber as a natural ingredient with unique functional properties.
PeelPioneers’ fiber activities will continue under CEAMSA, which generates annual revenues of close to €200 million (US$235.06 million). The company was founded in 2017 and promotes a circular economy by turning citrus peel into food ingredients, as the citrus industry faces a cascade of challenges, including climate extremes and disease outbreaks.
CEAMSA says the deal will expand its Ceamfibre citrus fiber range, while also enhancing the versatility of its portfolio to offer “unique and differentiated” texturizing solutions across multiple industries. The ingredient is upcycled from citrus peels and offers functional benefits such as water-binding, emulsifying, enhancing texture, and stability across food products.
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Iñigo Alzueta, president of CEAMSA, says: “This acquisition marks another important step in CEAMSA’s growth and reinforces our positioning as a global reference in texturizing ingredients. It fully aligns with our strategy to continue developing innovative and sustainable ingredient solutions that create added value for our customers.”
PeelPioneers declared its bankruptcy in early December 2025, after which its assets — such as the citrus fiber line — became available for acquisition or transfer under a curator process.
The company cited the inability to raise the “necessary additional funding” for further scaling as the reason for the financial situation.
Scaling fiber production
CEAMSA’s fiber production in Spain is reportedly expected to expand and scale with the integration of the acquired fiber business, while elevating its international growth.
PeelPioneers has welcomed the project’s continuity and its integration into an experienced industrial group like CEAMSA.
“CEAMSA’s acquisition of our Finix citrus fiber range represents strong confidence in our technology, our citrus fiber solutions, and the continuity of our customer base. With PeelPioneers’ promising technology being further developed within CEAMSA, a globally recognized manufacturer, the mission is carried forward,” says Bas van Wieringen, co-founder of PeelPioneers.
As gut health goes mainstream and the focus on protein and fiber intake associated with GLP-1 medications and weight management rises, innovations in fiber and prebiotics as key ingredients are increasing, according to Innova Market Insights.
The fiber intake of consumers on GLP-1 medications can drop without careful planning, further fueling product launches in the category to appeal to consumers.
