Cargill is teaming up with lecithin supplier Riceland Foods to increase its presence in lecithin products in the North American market.
Cargill will market and distribute lecithin produced by the farmer-owned cooperative Riceland at its Arkansas facility, expected to take effect by September 1. Riceland supplies powdered and granulated deoiled lecithin products globally and its non-genetically modified deoiled lecithin adds value to the Cargill portfolio.
"The Riceland alliance establishes Cargill as a lecithin supplier in North America," said Jens Heiser, president of Cargill's lecithin product line. "It also supports our goal of growing the lecithin business globally."
Cargill, which only produces lecithin in Europe and South America, makes the Lecigran, Leciprime and Leciperse brands.
"This alliance is a major growth initiative for Cargill Lecithin and will foster innovation in the deoiled lecithin market," said R. Creager Simpson, president of Cargill's Food & Pharma Specialties North America, which includes the lecithin product line.
Riceland president and CEO Richard E. Bell said the alliance will allow Riceland to operate its lecithin manufacturing facilities at more efficient rates.
"In recent years we've been handicapped by not having a source of conventional (non-GM) crude lecithin for processing. This new arrangement with Cargill helps us fill that gap," he said.
Derived from soybean processing, lecithin is used as a natural emulsifier, a blending agent and an egg replacer. It is also an important ingredient in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and cosmetics.