ACI Group seals deal with IFF to bring advanced plant proteins to UK and Ireland

ACI Group has announced a strategic distribution agreement with IFF, securing the rights to distribute IFF’s soy and pea protein ingredients across the UK and Ireland. The long-term partnership strengthens ACI’s position as a key player in both the traditional meat and plant-based food sectors, offering customers access to a sophisticated and technically robust range of non-GMO protein solutions.

The portfolio, which includes a wide variety of textured and functional plant proteins, is tailored for use across a broad spectrum of food products. It comprises textured vegetable proteins (TVPs), hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, and application-specific blends. Notable products within the range include SUPRO Isolated Soy Proteins, SUPRO MAX Structured Vegetable Proteins, SUPRO TEX Dry Textured Proteins, RESPONSE Textured Soy Concentrates, ALPHA and PROCON Soy Protein Concentrates, and CENTEX Textured Soy Flours. These ingredients are designed to deliver on both nutrition and performance, with benefits such as water binding, fat retention, emulsification, and textural integrity under demanding processing conditions.

Commenting on the agreement, Gareth Clark, Sales Director at ACI Group, said, “IFF’s plant protein technologies enable our customers to be agile in responding to shifting consumer preferences, whether they are reformulating traditional products for improved performance or developing entirely new plant-based lines. The quality, versatility, and scientific foundation of this range align with our mission to support customers in creating the food of tomorrow.”

Designed with both culinary appeal and industrial functionality in mind, the IFF protein range is suitable for traditional meat products such as sausages, burgers, meatballs, and döner kebabs, where they improve yield, moisture retention, fat reduction, and bite quality. In the plant-based sector, structured TVPs mimic the fibrous texture of muscle meat in items like vegan mince, nuggets, pulled-style products, and patties. Their neutral taste profile and clean-label attributes make them well suited for allergen-conscious or flexitarian product lines.

Vincent Mathys, Commercial Director, UK & Ireland, Food Ingredients at IFF, emphasized the company’s long-standing expertise in plant protein development. “At IFF, we are not just responding to the plant-based movement. Our protein technologies are the result of decades of innovation, designed to empower manufacturers to deliver on both performance and sustainability. From meat hybrids to next-generation plant-based meats, our solutions enable cost-effective protein substitution without compromising on texture or consumer experience.

“Our collaboration with ACI ensures that food manufacturers in the UK and Ireland have access to the cutting-edge technology and expertise needed to lead in this dynamic and fast-evolving market,” Mathys added.

With consistent particle size and excellent rehydration characteristics, IFF’s protein solutions integrate smoothly into both cold- and hot-processing systems, including extrusion. This compatibility makes them a valuable tool for scalable, efficient production – whether for meat-based, hybrid, or entirely plant-based formulations.

The partnership is set to bolster ACI Group’s role as a specialist distributor with a strong technical support network, while expanding the footprint of IFF’s protein technologies in two of Europe’s most innovative food markets.