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Beyond distribution: Faravelli connects the dots for NPD

Faravelli aims to provide a one-stop-shop for food and beverage companies, connecting the dots from raw materials to finished products, and answering demand for cleaner labels, natural ingredients and improved free-from foods.

The Italy-based company distributes a broad range of ingredients globally for every food and drink application, including thickeners, preservatives, sweeteners, amino acids and vitamins, but company CEO Luca Benati says the way they are blended and the R&D support that comes with them sets Faravelli’s service apart.

“We source the products but our core business is formulation,” he said.

“Normally the idea is to provide a blend that the single raw material can’t provide. Of course we sell pectin or carrageenan singly, but when customers have needs the single ingredients can’t provide, then we propose our blends to the customers.

“…Even in the traditional business of distribution, we try to provide support that goes beyond supply. We also have a very strong regulatory team. When customers need some sort of consultancy, we are also able to provide that service.”

Clean label, free from and natural

Faravelli aims to stay ahead of the latest industry trends, and provides a range of solutions for gluten free and lactose free products, for example. That might mean finding the right blend of thickeners and hydrocolloids to improve the taste and texture of a gluten free baked item, or finding an alternative sweetener for products where lactose is used as an excipient.

Stevia is on the rise too as companies seek alternatives not only for sugar, but also for other sweeteners, and Benati says he expects monk fruit to gain ground in the next few years.

The company has also started to supply chia seeds in the past few months under its own brand, as demand for ancient grains and seeds has taken off. According to Mintel, the number of new foods and drinks launched globally containing chia grew 70% from 2014 to 2015.

Finding the source of innovation

In terms of ingredient supply, Benati said a milestone for the company came in 2008, when it established a division in China, dedicated to the sourcing of raw materials.

“Of course a lot of raw materials are sourced in China,” he said. “In the meantime, we were also looking for new ingredients.”

The aim is to be at the forefront of the process when it comes to new product development and reformulation.

“We want to cooperate with the client before the product is on the market,” Benati said. “We have connected with suppliers of raw materials and sometimes they propose new products. Whatever can be a source of innovation, we want to be there.

“At the end of the day, the service is as important as our range of products.”