EUROPE – Global chemical and ingredients distributor, Univar Solutions has secured a deal with Seaweed & Co. to distribute its PureSea seaweed ingredient products across Europe.

The agreement will allow Seaweed & Co. to expand its market reach in various European markets especially for food service and retail customers.

PureSea’s portfolio features a range of easy-to-use and convenient seaweed-derived products, which reportedly deliver benefits for consumers’ food, health and nutrition.

It includes three powders and granules in natural and smoked flavors and an additional flavorless variety- a highly dispersible microencapsulated fine powder.

This product protects any finished product from the more savory seaweed flavors thus, can be used in sweet products such as beverages and smoothies.

“Our PureSea range of seaweed ingredient products will benefit from Univar Solutions expertise, broad network and state-of-the-art Technical Solutions Centers,” said Dr. Craig Rose, Founder and Managing Director, Seaweed & Co to FoodIngredientsFirst.

“We look forward to further growing our business with one of the leading ingredient distributors in the world.”

The company has highlighted the opportunities presented in the European market, where consumer attitude on seaweed is shifting due to health and wellness trend.

Seaweed is said to be a potential ingredient in weight management, as a natural iodine source and to manage blood sugar release.

It can also be used to reduce sodium levels as it is a natural shelf-life enhancer and has umami flavor-boosting properties due to its glutamate levels.

Some of its applications include use in baked goods, meats, coatings, soups, sauces and gravies as well as functional foods such as food supplements, green blends and sports nutrition due to its nutritional qualities.

“We are very pleased to add Seaweed & Co. as a strategic supplier for our food ingredients market as this presents a tremendous opportunity to drive new growth through organic, natural and sustainably sourced products,” said Gary Abraham, Head of Supplier Management in Europe, Middle East and Africa for Univar Solutions.

“The PureSea portfolio enables us to enhance our solutions-based offering for our customers and meet emerging demands for seaweed ingredient products.”

Last year, Univar secured food ingredients distribution deal with Tata Chemicals in Canada, becoming the exclusive distributor of Tata’s Fossence and Gossence prebiotic dietary fiber portfolio of ingredients for the market.