The addition will create a new division of Cambridge Commodities, operating as Earth Circle Ingredients in the US, supplying natural extracts and botanical ingredients to the sports nutrition and health and wellness industries.
“The aim behind the acquisition was to strengthen our business infrastructure in the US. In Earth Circle we found a great business and team which fit with Cambridge Commodities’ core values,” said Neil Hammill, commercial director of the Cambridge Commodities Group.
“The nutritional worlds of supplements, sports nutrition and functional foods are colliding and we want to be at the epicentre of that, understanding ingredients and how they can be utilised.
“The acquisition means our US and European teams can share trends and new innovation in a more dynamic way.”
Capitalise on natural ingredient trend
The move suggests CCL’s intentions to better meet consumer demands both in the UK and worldwide for so-called ‘authentic ingredients’ to compliment a more healthy and holistic diet and lifestyle.
“Supplying quality ingredients that meet customer needs has always been at the heart of our business and will continue to be with our US venture,” said Hammill.
“The trend for natural ingredients is reflected in our sales growth: vegan ingredients in particular have increased by almost 300% over the past three years.”
Northern-Californian based Earth Circle Organics made a name for themselves selling bulk ingredients such as spirulina and chia as well as the more raw and organic superfoods such as cacao, goji berries, maca powder, and coconut palm sweeteners.
Earth Circle Ingredients will now benefit from access to Cambridge Commodities’ supplier base for over 2500 nutritional ingredients, new product development expertise and its technical teams.
It will also allow the firm to expand from offering raw and organic superfoods to now include vegan and dairy proteins, natural extracts, and fruit and vegetable powders.
Commenting on the acquisition, Keith Bearden, CEO at Earth Circle Ingredients said, "Using Cambridge Commodities' approved supply chain, we are increasing our stock lines, which means that we can provide exciting ingredients, great quality and product innovation to our customers."