Royal DSM, a global life sciences and materials sciences company based in Heerlen, Netherlands, has acquired Minneapolis-based Cargill’s cultures and enzymes business. The integration of both businesses is expected to be complete by mid-2013.

With one of the broadest dairy ingredients portfolios including enzymes, PUFAs, vitamins, cultures, probiotics, bio actives, preservation systems and tests, the newly established business is able to service requirements from customers all around the world. In addition, it can provide a broad choice of fermentation-produced enzymes as well as animal-derived enzymes.

The newly combined business will have a global manufacturing footprint with operations spread over three continents: in the USA, with key strengths in manufacturing of bulk starter and direct set cultures as well as lipases and coagulants; in France, where the focus is on surface and ripening cultures as well as lactic acid cultures and fermented enzymes; and in Australia, where direct set cultures are produced.

“We now have critical mass to serve customers worldwide with value creating solutions,” says Hans-Christian Ambjerg, president of DSM Food Specialties. “With the excellent knowledge of our new colleagues combined with our own strengths in bio-based solutions, we look forward to working even closer with our customers to help them achieve the best in dairy, delivering differentiating products.”