Foodology by Univar Solutions and specialty ingredients company Ashland have agreed an exclusive distribution partnership covering cellulose ethers for the food and beverage sector across EMEA.
Under the arrangement, which begins this year, Foodology will distribute a broader portfolio of cellulose ethers intended to support texture, stability and processing needs for food manufacturers in the region.
The rollout is set to take effect in phases by market.
From 1 January 2026, the agreement applies to the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary.
A second group of countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Oman — follows from 1 March 2026, with Turkey scheduled from 1 April 2026.
The partnership covers methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), ethylcellulose (EC) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP).
Ashland is known for cellulose ether derivatives and PVPP.
Univar Solutions global vice president of health & nutrition Aaron Lee said: “Ashland’s specialty ingredients are a strategic addition to our existing portfolio. We’re excited to broaden our cellulose ether offerings across EMEA, especially as the demand for alternative and plant-based proteins continues to accelerate in the nutrition space.
“Foodology by Univar Solutions is here to help customers succeed with the support of our global distribution network. We’re excited to build a strong partnership that brings consistency and growth while working together to spark new ideas in food and beverage.”
According to the press statement, the cellulose ethers are used in a range of current food and beverage applications, including vegan foods and beverages, plant-based meats and gluten-free bakery products.
Ashland senior vice president and general manager of life sciences and intermediates Alessandra Faccin Assis said: “This new alliance between Ashland and Univar Solutions will provide significant value to our customers through enhanced product availability, faster delivery, specialised expertise, and improved support services partnerships.
“Our products offer an array of functional benefits enabling groundbreaking advancements in food and beverage innovation and performance. We’re excited to bring ingredients to food manufacturers in EMEA aiming to meet the evolving health, convenience, and quality expectations of their products.”
Foodology said it uses its understanding of food and beverage trends to supply ingredients aligned with changing consumer preferences.
It also pointed to its technical capabilities and its solution centres, including a test kitchen in Essen, Germany, as part of its plans to work on new product development and “sustainable, nutrition-focused solutions worldwide”.
