Univar Solutions, Ashland partner to expand cellulose ether access across EMEA food and beverage markets

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated on February 5, 2026 at 12:25am ET to include an AI disclosure.

Univar Solutions B.V. has entered into a distribution partnership with additives and ingredients company Ashland Inc. to broaden access to cellulose ether ingredients for food and beverage manufacturers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Univar Solutions B.V. is a subsidiary of Univar Solutions LLC. The collaboration, effective January 1, 2026, is designed to support the increasing demand for functional ingredients while enabling formulation innovation in categories and markets such as plant-based meats, vegan foods and beverages, gluten-free bakery, and alternative proteins, a January 27, 2026, press release from Univar explains.¹

Expanding distribution of Ashland’s portfolio

Through the agreement, Foodology by Univar Solutions will distribute Ashland’s portfolio of cellulose ether derivatives and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), including methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), and ethylcellulose (EC). These ingredients are widely used to enhance texture, stability, and processing performance in modern food and beverage applications.

Meeting consumer needs and enabling innovation

Company leadership framed the partnership as a strategic response to evolving consumer preferences and formulation needs. "Ashland's specialty ingredients are a strategic addition to our existing portfolio," stated Aaron Lee, global vice president of health and nutrition for Univar Solutions, in the press release. "We're excited to broaden our cellulose ether offerings across EMEA, especially as the demand for alternative and plant-based proteins continues to accelerate in the nutrition space. Foodology by Univar Solutions is here to help customers succeed with the support of our global distribution network. We're excited to build a strong partnership that brings consistency and growth while working together to spark new ideas in food and beverage."

Ashland executives likewise highlighted operational and customer-facing benefits and the alignment with shifting expectations around health, convenience, and product quality. "This new alliance between Ashland and Univar Solutions will provide significant value to our customers through enhanced product availability, faster delivery, specialized expertise, and improved support services partnerships," stated Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and general manager life sciences and intermediates for Ashland. "Our products offer an array of functional benefits enabling groundbreaking advancements in food and beverage innovation and performance. We're excited to bring ingredients to food manufacturers in EMEA aiming to meet the evolving health, convenience, and quality expectations of their products."

A partnership that supports company missions

Beyond distribution, the companies pointed to technical collaboration as a core component of the partnership. Foodology by Univar Solutions provides formulation expertise and application development support through Solution Centers, including a flagship test kitchen located in Essen, Germany. These capabilities are intended to help brands translate ingredient functionality into commercially viable, trend-forward food and beverage products.

Univar Solutions positions the agreement within its broader mission to deliver specialty ingredients, logistics expertise, and value-added services to global customers. The company also recently showcased its Powered By ingredients prototype kits and new formulations with our Power a Healthy Tomorrow concepts at SupplySide Global 2025.²

Additionally, Ashland continues to focus on specialty additives and ingredients serving consumer and industrial markets worldwide. The company also highlights its focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG). Together, the companies aim to strengthen innovation pipelines and support next-generation food development across the EMEA region.

2026 rollout of EMEA markets

The geographic rollout will occur in phases. Coverage began in January 2026 across multiple European markets, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. Expansion into select Middle Eastern countries – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Oman – will follow in March 2026, with Turkey scheduled for April 2026 implementation.

This article was created with assistance from AI. The content has been reviewed and edited by Erin McEvoy, Associate Editor. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact us.

References

1. Univar Solutions. Univar Solutions and Ashland Forge Exclusive Partnership for Cellulose Ethers in Food and Beverage Sector Throughout EMEA. January 27, 2026. https://news.univarsolutions.com/2026-01-27-Univar-Solutions-and-Ashland-Forge-Exclusive-Partnership-for-Cellulose-Ethers-in-Food-and-Beverage-Sector-Throughout-EMEA#assets_117 (Accessed 2026-02-04).
2. Krawiec, S. Univar Solutions to showcase dosage form solutions, GLP-1 support, and healthy aging at SupplySide Global 2025. October 29, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/univar-solutions-to-showcase-dosage-form-solutions-glp-1-support-and-healthy-aging-at-supplyside-global-2025 (Accessed 2026-02-04).