Univar Solutions secures exclusive EMEA deal with Ashland for food-grade cellulose ethers

Univar Solutions has confirmed an exclusive distribution partnership with Ashland covering food and beverage applications across EMEA, as demand continues to rise for functional ingredients that improve texture, stability, and processing performance.

• Univar Solutions entered an exclusive agreement to distribute Ashland’s food-grade cellulose ethers and PVPP across EMEA.
• The partnership took effect in stages from January 1, 2026, covering Europe first, followed by parts of the Middle East.
• The ingredients were aimed at applications including plant-based foods, gluten-free bakery, and specialty beverages.

Under the agreement, Univar Solutions’ Foodology business became the exclusive distributor of a broad portfolio of Ashland ingredients used in food and beverage manufacturing. The range included methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, ethylcellulose, and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, commonly known as PVPP.

The collaboration was structured to expand access to these ingredients across multiple EMEA markets, supporting food manufacturers as they responded to evolving consumer expectations around texture, functionality, and product consistency. Cellulose ethers are widely used for thickening, stabilizing, binding, and processing control, particularly in plant-based foods, vegan beverages, and gluten-free baked goods.

Aaron Lee, Global Vice President of Health and Nutrition at Univar Solutions, said the agreement strengthened the company’s existing portfolio in food ingredients. “Ashland’s specialty ingredients were a strategic addition to our offering,” Lee said. He added that demand for alternative and plant-based proteins continued to grow, increasing the need for reliable access to functional ingredients that support product performance at scale.

Lee said Foodology by Univar Solutions aimed to help customers navigate formulation challenges by combining ingredient access with technical support and distribution reach. He said the partnership was expected to provide greater consistency across markets while supporting innovation in food and beverage development.

Ashland said the agreement would allow it to reach customers more effectively across the region through Univar Solutions’ distribution infrastructure and technical capabilities. Alessandra Faccin Assis, Senior Vice President and General <anager for life sciences and intermediates at Ashland, said the partnership expanded availability while improving delivery speed and customer support.

“Our products offered a wide range of functional benefits that enabled advances in food and beverage performance,” Faccin Assis said. She added that the collaboration supported manufacturers seeking to meet changing expectations around health, convenience, and quality.

The rollout of the agreement was phased. Distribution in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary took effect from January 1, 2026. Additional Middle Eastern markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Oman, were scheduled to follow from March 1, with Turkey added from April 1.

Foodology by Univar Solutions said it would support the partnership through its technical teams and solution centers, including a test kitchen facility in Essen, Germany. The companies said collaboration at these sites would focus on product development, formulation support, and the launch of new food and beverage concepts.

Univar Solutions operated as a global distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients, supplying food manufacturers with formulation support, logistics, and regulatory expertise. Ashland produced specialty additives and ingredients used across food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial markets, with a focus on performance-driven solutions.

Both companies said the agreement reflected continued investment in functional ingredients as food and beverage manufacturers adapted to shifting diets, processing requirements, and consumer preferences across EMEA.