EUROPE – Global food ingredients and technology systems provider, Dohler has agreed to acquire a majority shareholding in Spain’s Zumos Catalano Aragoneses S.A. (Zucasa), a producer of juices, purées and sweet fruit concentrates.

The acquisition includes Zucasa’s juice production facility which will be managed by Dohler Fraga S.L, a subsidiary of the company.

With the deal, Dohler will be able to provide customers with a diverse offering in the stone fruits segment as well as in apples and pears; while expanding its reach in the global market.

It combines Dohler’s comprehensive industry knowledge and a broad product portfolio with Zucasa’s extensive expertise and ability to provide fruit and vegetable juices, purees and concentrates for food and beverage industries.

Dohler’s product portfolio of natural ingredients ranges from natural flavours, natural colours, health ingredients, pulses & cereal ingredients, dairy & plant-based ingredients, fermented ingredients, dry fruit & vegetable ingredients, fruit & vegetable ingredients and ingredient systems.

Döhler said the deal marks a “great step forward” in one of Europe’s largest fruit production areas.

Zucasa began production in 2010 with three lines for processing fruits and vegetables: two of which are for purées and one for juices.

Currently, it employs around 50 people on permanent contracts, reaching 150 workers during high season.

“Zucasa’s extensive expertise and ability to provide fruit and vegetable juices, purées and concentrates for food and beverages, combined with the broad product portfolio and the comprehensive industry knowledge of the Döhler Group, will create unique synergy effects,” said Dohler in a statement.

Headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, Döhler last October announced that it acquired a majority stake in Italian firm Nutrafood as it aims to boost its plant-based food and beverage offering.

The deal was expected to earn the companies a leading position in the plant-based nutrition segment.

The company announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire Concentra Europe BV from Passina, producer of high-quality purees, concentrates and juices.