AAK acquires Soya International, positioning itself as leading supplier of specialty lecithin

Image courtesy of AAK From left to right: Marco Oomen, global business director, chocolate and confectionery fats at AAK, Sonny Arora, managing director of AAK Soya International, and Alec van Veldhoven, senior director of AAK Soya International.

AAK (Malmö Municipality, Sweden) has acquired a majority stake in Manchester, UK-based Soya International to form AAK Soya International Ltd. This positions the company as one of the world’s leading suppliers of specialty lecithin. Lecithin is a natural emulsifier produced from vegetable oils such as soy, sunflower, and rapeseed. AAK Soya International supplies a comprehensive range of lecithin products, including non-GMO liquid lecithin, non-GMO powdered lecithin, organic lecithin and specialty lecithin solutions developed for chocolate, confectionery, bakery, dairy, and infant nutrition applications. For customers, the acquisition simplifies operations by allowing them to source specialty lecithin alongside AAK’s portfolio of oils and fats from one supplier.

“This acquisition is highly positive both for us and our existing customers,” said Sonny Arora, co-founder of Soya International, in a press release. “AAK shares our vision of achieving growth by focusing on key industry trends and we’re excited to continue on this journey, driven by a new, dedicated leadership team.”

Arora will remain on as managing director of AAK Soya International. “In the oils and fats sector, AAK is globally recognized as the co-development company. We partner with our customers to find optimal solutions for their products and they appreciate this approach. Now we can also deliver this value proposition in the lecithin sector,” added Alec van Veldhoven, senior director of AAK Soya International, in a press release.

The acquisition has no impact on current lecithin supply arrangements with existing customers. AAK Soya International’s products are already available in over 40 countries, but the company’s reach will now extend further thanks to AAK’s global sales network. The firm will continue to operate out of Manchester, UK.