Sensient confirms deal for Canadian natural ingredients firm Mazza Innovation

Sensient Technologies has confirmed a deal to acquire Vancouver-based botanical extraction technology firm Mazza Innovation as part of its expansion of using natural ingredients in its ranges, which include confectionery and bakery products.

The US-headquartered, global group said its move was a  major step in the evolution of its “seed to shelf” strategy to innovate across the value chain for natural and organic ingredients. Mazza’s patented solvent-free clean extraction technology expands current extraction capabilities to deliver pure and clean colour, flavour, and functional ingredients. The company said the deal would acquisition will leverage its robust agronomy and sustainable sourcing programmes for plant materials as well as the company’s strong extract refinement and application expertise. It will add to its existing range of products with natural flavours, which includes an organic series for confectionery.

“I am excited about both the immediate and longer term possibilities for our R&D efforts,” said Mike Geraghty, president of Sensient Colors. “Many of the botanical colour sources used today require chemical solvents or high temperatures to be effective. This patented extraction technology represents a major step change. It is cleaner, more efficient, and delivers on the need for clean-label flavour extracts, natural colours, colouring foods and functional extracts.”

Originally developed by Dr. Giuseppe (Joe) Mazza, a longtime researcher with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Mazza recognised that the unique extraction technology would address the growing demand for clean and pure ingredients.

“The future is bright for simple, close-to-nature ingredients, with natural botanical extracts chief among them,” said Jeremy Thompson, global head of strategy and innovation for Sensient Flavors and Fragrances.

He added: “This exciting acquisition is an investment into a future where simplicity is key in manufacturing the natural foods and beverages consumers demand. Mazza’s novel technology enables valuable components of plant materials to be targeted and gently removed simply using water. It complements well Sensient’s already extensive capability in solvent free extraction and adds to our broad range of botanical flavour extracts under the Sensient Natural Origins brand.”

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