ROUEN, FRANCE — Nexira, a supplier of natural ingredients and botanical extracts, has increased its acacia processing capacity by more than 20% at its site in Normandy, France.
The company invested more than $10 million in its main industrial site, adding a new spray dryer to enhance productivity and energy performance. With three processing lines, the facility now can produce more than 35,000 tons of acacia fiber annually. Nexira has further investments planned for 2022 and 2023 to help meet global demand for additional natural and organic ingredients.
With a minimum of 90% fiber content, Nexira’s acacia fiber is certified FODMAP-friendly and has proven prebiotic effects, according to the company. Sold under the inavea and Fibregum brands, it may be used in a range of applications, including functional beverages, snack bars and nutritional powders.
Demand for acacia fiber was heightened in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration’s decision late last year to grant dietary fiber status to acacia, said Mathieu Dondain, managing director at the Rouen, France-based company.
“Our new production capacities will allow us to meet this demand not only for acacia fiber but also other natural ingredients,” he said. “We have additional long-term plans for production in the United States to better serve our customers on the North American continent.”
