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Nexira acquires Keragum, strengthening its position of global leader in natural plant-based ingredients

Rouen, July 8, 2026 – Nexira, an independent family-owned group and global leader in natural ingredients and botanical extracts for the food, nutrition and dietary supplements industries, today announces the acquisition of Keragum, a Moroccan company specializing in carob-based ingredients.

The acquisition represents a significant milestone in Nexira’s Ambitions 2030 growth strategy and strengthens the Group’s position across the natural ingredients value chain, particularly in the carob sector.

“With Keragum, Nexira takes a new step forward. As with acacia, our ambition is to invest as close as possible to production, securing high-quality raw materials while generating tangible local value. Together, Keragum and Nexira will drive the stability, sustainability and long-term growth of a market we deeply believe in.”, says Mathieu Dondain, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Nexira.

The acquisition consolidates Nexira’s position in the global market for natural hydrocolloids and carob. Since 2021, Nexira has established itself as a leading player in locust bean gum — an ingredient prized for its nutritional, thickening and stabilizing properties across food and nutraceutical applications, from plant-based textures and ice cream stabilization to appetite management in dietary supplements. With Keragum, Nexira now anchors its supply chain directly at origin, securing quality, traceability and long-term reliability.

Based in the Casablanca region of Morocco, Keragum is a specialist in carob-based ingredients. The company recently commissioned a state-of-the-art production facility that combines industrial efficiency with the highest quality standards, backed by FSSC 22000, halal, kosher and organic certifications. Its strong partnerships with local cooperatives ensure a reliable, traceable supply of premium carob seeds and raw materials.

“This acquisition tangibly strengthens our position in the carob value chain — a fast-growing market where Nexira has emerged as a key player since 2021. Keragum brings modern industrial capacity, a robust and traceable local sourcing network, and authentic expertise rooted in Moroccan agriculture. This is precisely the model we want to scale: building sustainable value chains, creating value at origin, and supporting agroforestry, biodiversity and local farming communities”,explains Olivier Houalla, Chief Operating Officer of Nexira.

This acquisition rests on a conviction shared by Nexira and Keragum: an agricultural supply chain can only develop sustainably through investments as closely as possible to producers and local communities. As such, the two companies are leveraging highly complementary and mutually beneficial synergies: Keragum contributes deep carob expertise, a strong local sourcing network and proven industrial capabilities. Nexira brings global reach, an international customer base, scientific and regulatory expertise, and unmatched applications know-how. Together, the two companies will accelerate the stability, sustainability and long-term development of the carob market.

About NexiraFounded in 1895, NEXIRA is an independent family-owned group and a global leader in natural ingredients and botanical extracts for the food, nutrition and health industries.

With revenue of €221 million — 91% generated internationally, Nexira employs more than 300 people across 6 production sites and 8 subsidiaries on 5 continents, with a presence in over 80 countries.

The French group has built its reputation as the world leader in acacia fiber, holding more than 40% of the global market share, and today offers a broad portfolio of natural plant-based products with recognized health benefits.

Its portfolio combines highly functional and nutritional ingredients with a wide range of botanical actives — including acerola for vitamin C, guarana for natural caffeine, and baobab as a superfruit — supporting applications in digestive health, weight management, stress management and sports nutrition.

Every day, Nexira leverages its technical and nutritional expertise to develop new ingredients and applications for the global food industry.

About Keragum
KERAGUM SA specializes in carob, or Locust Bean Gum (LBG), a 100% natural and eco-friendly texturizing agent.

Powered by advanced technology, Keragum’s site delivers outstanding production efficiency while minimizing environmental impact and upholding the highest quality standards. The company is certified FSSC 22000, halal, kosher and organic.

Valued for its natural nutritional, thickening and stabilizing properties, locust bean gum is a benchmark ingredient for clean-label products across the food and nutraceutical sectors.

Based in Morocco — one of the world’s leading carob-producing countries — Keragum has built lasting partnerships with local cooperatives, ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply chain. This close collaboration supports responsible agricultural practices and guarantees full traceability, from carob pods harvested by local farmers to the finished ingredient.

About Carob
Carob seeds come from the pods of the carob tree, which thrives across the Mediterranean basin — and particularly in Morocco. After harvesting, the pods are separated and mechanically milled to produce a natural, high-performance ingredient: locust bean gum. This versatile powder is widely used as a thickener in plant-based alternatives, a stabilizer in ice creams and an appetite-management ingredient in nutraceuticals.

Fun fact: The word “carat” comes from the Greek keration, meaning carob. Thanks to their remarkably consistent weight of around 0.2 grams, carob seeds (Ceratonia siliqua) were used by merchants in Antiquity as reference weights for gold and precious stones — a botanical legacy still hidden in every 18-carat jewel.

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