USA – Global ingredient solutions provider, Ingredion has invested and entered into an exclusive commercial agreement with quinoa flour producer, Northern Quinoa Production Corporation (NorQuin) in a deal that seeks to expand the company’s plant-based protein ingredients.
The Saskatchewan, USA-based NorQuin said that the exclusive partnership with Ingredion will make its products more accessible to consumers as well as expedite the development of quinoa products.
“We are thrilled to partner with Ingredion to bring quinoa flour and quinoa innovation to market at scale,” NorQuin Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Jackson says.
“Ingredion’s global reach across 120 countries and their research and development expertise will dramatically help NorQuin’s ability to drive the mainstream growth of quinoa in a variety of applications.”
Jackson added that Ingredion’s global reach, deep-rooted distribution channels, and applications expertise will help accelerate NorQuin’s growth while at the same time capitalize on the plant-based protein trend shaping the worldwide food industry.
“Consumers today are looking for foods and beverages made with real ingredients that are familiar, trusted, sustainably sourced and authentic,” Jim Zallie, Ingredion’s president and CEO highlighted.
“This latest investment complements our pulse-based protein portfolio, unlocks future growth opportunities and enhances our ability to co-create with our customers to deliver consumer-preferred foods and beverages that are nutritious and taste great.”
NorQuin’s products will augment Ingredion’s existing line of pulse-based flours to include quinoa-based flours for use in snacks, crackers, baked goods, as well as dairy and meat alternatives.
Tony DeLio, Ingredion’s SVP of corporate strategy and chief innovation officer, affirmed that customer demand for plant-based protein is rapidly growing around the world, adding that the company want’s to offer a full range of solutions that best meet our customers’ needs.
“By working with NorQuin, we have the opportunity to further innovate and commercialize novel quinoa-based protein offerings for food manufacturers,” he said.
For more than two decades, NorQuin has invested in research to develop proprietary, high-yielding, non-GMO varietals of quinoa which can be traced from farm to fork.
The company says that its quinoa products also stabilize a market which has been traditionally affected by South American supply challenges and erratic pricing.
“We have created the largest vertically integrated supply chain in North America to ensure supply and consistent pricing with local origin. NorQuin has partnered with North American family farms and is committed to food safety, quality, and traceability,” says Mike Jewett, NorQuin’s vice president of sales.
“We are very excited about our new alliance and look forward to working with customers to commercialize new products.”
