Indian ventures: Alland & Robert and Sayaji collaborate on acacia gum production

12 Oct 2018 --- S.D.P.A., the holding company which owns French leader in natural gums Alland & Robert, is partnering with Indian-based company Sayaji Industries Limited (Sayaji) to form a joint venture. The main goal of this collaboration is to manufacture locally and supply spray dried acacia gum for the growing Indian market.

Initiated since 1884, Alland & Robert will provide technological know-how for the processing of the acacia gum in order to offer the best quality product for this fast-evolving market. 

Acacia gum, also known as gum Arabic (E414), is a natural, safe and healthy ingredient used in flavors, beverages, confectionery, dairy, bakery, dietary products, pharma and cosmetics among others. Today, acacia gum is found in thousands of day-to-day products all over the world. In India, acacia gum is also purchased directly by consumers at their local markets to cook traditional meals. The local business opportunities are large and diverse in this fast-growing economy, according to Alland & Robert. 

Anne-Sophie Alland, Head of Strategy and Development at Alland & Robert, says: “The Indian acacia gum market is complex, aiming at both the industry and final consumers. This joint venture is a great opportunity for Alland & Robert to dive into the Indian market with a local partner. Sayaji is also a family-owned company with the same values of hard work and business agility as Alland & Robert; thus they are a natural partner for us.” 

“India is one of the most populated countries in the world, and Indian consumers already know acacia gum very well, as they usually purchase some on markets and use it in traditional recipes,” Alland tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

“Acacia gum is nowadays used in thousands of day-to-day products. Our R&D team works on developing new usages for acacia gum, so there is still unexplored potential. We believe new applications will emerge in the future,” explains

“There will be further developments in the next few years. However, our focus now is on our new Indian partnership with Sayaji.”

“Alland & Robert will provide the technological know-how for the processing of the acacia gum and over 130 years of expertise and experience on the acacia gum market. Our goal is to manufacture the best quality of acacia gum,” adds. 

Sayaji already has a strong foothold and a steady reputation in the Indian food industry with its large corn wet milling business. It is, therefore, a natural choice of partner for Alland & Robert, says the company. The two companies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding and they will sign a definitive agreement beginning of 2019. 

FoodIngredientsFirst has reached out to Sayaji for further details.

Last month, our sister website NutritionInsight featured an interview article with Isabelle Jaouen, Head of R&D at Alland & Robert, who discussed new opportunities for acacia gum, including its prebiotic and sugar reduction potential.