Alland & Robert is taking the "We Use Wild" pledge, a commitment to good sourcing practices in the gum acacia supply chain
Alland & Robert becomes the first actor in the gum acacia industry to take this pledge, proudly declaring our use of wild acacia gum and placing a spotlight on our work to create and maintain ethical & sustainable practices.
Alland & Robert proudly declares our use of wild gum acacia (or gum arabic). We constantly seek to surpass ourselves and go beyond regulatory requirements and customers’expectations, in order to be the leader of a an industry that respects human rights and the environment. This is why Alland & Robert signed the We Use Wild Pledge, created by global NGO TRAFFIC.
It is the first time that such a commitment is made in the gum acacia industry, reflecting the unique and tireless work of Alland & Robert towards sustainability and ethics, as well as the result of an ambitious corporate and social responsibility policy.
Alland & Robert is taking the Pledge on a voluntary basis, as a self-led initiative to increase awareness and responsible sourcing of wild-harvested gum acacia. The Pledge provides an action framework to take measurable action to address the biological and social risks related to the gum acacia supply chain.
More generally, wild plant ingredients are key across a range of industries. When ethical and sustainable practices are organized throughout the supply chain, wild ingredients can support rural livelihoods that can be at risk of disappearing. Wild ingredients can alos offer the opportunity to engage in conservation projects, such as the Great Green Wall initiative in Africa.
#WeUseWild
“The We Use Wild pledge means that Alland & Robert, as an organisation, supports conservation and rural livelihoods in the African Sahel, where wild gum acacia is harvested.”
Did you know?
Wild harvest accounts for some or all of the harvest of the majority of plant species in trade (between 60-90 percent)*.
TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working to ensure that wildlife trade is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Their team works in and connects across some of the world’s most critical wildlife trade hotspots to identify and help address both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development challenges and opportunities linked to trade in wild species.
Come & visit us at FI EUROPE 2022 !
We can’t wait to meet you in person in Paris. We are excited to be at home for Food Ingredient Europe 2022!
The show takes place from December 6 to 8 in Paris Porte de Versailles. Our whole team will be there to attend. Meet us on Hall 4, booth F40. We’ll have some surprises to share!
Why visit us at FI EUROPE 2022?
Discover the versatility of natural gums and their numerous applications in food, dietary and nutraceutical products.
ACACIA GUM, A DIETARY FIBER
Let’s discuss the recent approval by the FDA of acacia gum as a dietary fiber. Since december 2021, acacia gum can be classified as a fiber for nutrition labelling purposes in the United States.
ULTIMATE TEXTURING
Finding plant-based substitutes to non-vegan gelling agents can be a challenge if you’re looking for that perfect texture, sensory experience, hardness or resilience. In order to help manufacturers find the right balance, Alland & Robert has researched a plant-based solution that will bring excellent stabilizing and texturing properties. Using acacia gum as well as other plant-based, natural hydrocolloids, Alland & Robert designed a new gelling agent, perfect for the formulation of vegan food products. This solution will be exclusively presented at Food Ingredient Europe 2022.
GUT HEALTH
Explore the benefits of acacia gum on gut health, thanks to the study we conducted. If you’re looking for a natural way to formulate gut-friendly products or add prebiotic effect, we can help!
Stop by booth 4F40 and chat with us !
Come & visit us at Supply Side West 2022 !
We can’t wait to meet you in person in Las Vegas for SSW 2022!
We are excited to announce that for our team will attend Supply Side West 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meet us booth #2165, which is our US distributor Farbest Brands’ booth.The show takes place from October 31 to Novembre 3, in the United States.
Why visit us at SSW 2022?
Discover the versatility of natural gums and their numerous applications in food, dietary and nutraceutical products. Our R&D Director Dr. Isabelle Jaouen, our General Manager Charles Alland and CEO Frédéric Alland will be there to answer your questions and discuss the formulation of safe, clean and sustainable products. The Farbest Brands team will be available to discuss any questions related to sales in the United States.
This is also an opportunity to discuss the recent approval by the FDA of acacia gum as a dietary fiber. Since december 2021, Acacia gum can be classified as a fiber for nutrition labelling purposes in the United States.Strong scientific literature demonstrates that acacia gum is a fibre. The FDA agreed that acacia gum has physiological effects beneficial to human health, such as the reduction of blood glucose and insulin levels after it is eaten with a meal containing a carbohydrate that raises blood glucose levels.
Feel free to stop by booth 2165!
Alland & Robert obtains silver rating from EcoVadis following Corporate Social Responsibility evaluation
Alland & Robert obtains the EcoVadis silver medal for its CSR performance.
Alland & Robert has been awarded the silver medal on the occasion of the annual evaluation of the EcoVadis organization
Rewarded for its Corporate Social Responsibility management system, Alland & Robert obtains the EcoVadis silver medal. This score places us among the top 25% of companies rated by the platform.
This rating assesses the CSR performance of companies according to four criteria:
- Responsible purchasing,
- Impact of the company’s activities on the environment,
- Business ethics
- Well-being of employees.
This assessement from one of the most trusted business sustainability rating agency highlights Alland & Robert commitment to put ambitious sustainability policy and objectives first, and our dedication to hard work in order to implement concrete actions and practices in our company and with our stakeholders.
The EcoVadis rating platform was created to assess CSR performance. It is based on 21 criteria and 4 main themes which are: Environment, Social and Human Rights, Ethics and Responsible Purchasing via an examination of the integration of the principles of sustainable development within the activity of each company.
This methodology is based on international sustainable development standards, in particular the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Global Compact and the ISO 26000 standard. The objective is to set up an effective CSR management system, consisting of policies, actions and results reporting. In order to fully take into account the real impacts of a company, the assessment framework is adapted to each company according to its sector of activity, its size and its geographical location.
More information is available on the EcoVadis website.
Introducing DemeCare®
DemeCare® is a new range of natural gums for the formulation of clean, organic and sustainable cosmetics.
Our innovative range is composed of 12 products based on acacia gum, sterculia gum, and their blends which are patent pending. Each product offers various functional properties and is available organic.
DemeCare®, based on Alland & Robert’s expertise of natural gums
Alland & Robert has in-depth expertise in the functional properties of natural gums, and we believe our expertise, combined with the high-quality of our products, can be beneficial to cosmetics formulators.
According to Lucie Birchler, cosmetic expert in the R&D team of Alland & Robert, “the properties of natural gums are manifold: they can therefore be used to great advantage as emulsifiers, texturing agents, tightening agents, technological aids, film-forming agents, suspensoid agents and sensory improvers.”
After extensive applicative research and a lot of testing our laboratory, we were able to determine the combination of natural gums suitable for each expected properties in cosmetic products. Today, we are beyond excited that our research allowed us to create DemeCare®, the perfect range for the formulation of natural and safe cosmetics.
Cosmetic expert Lucie Birchler is working in Alland & Robert research laboratory.
Natural gums have numerous functional properties…
…including properties essential to the formulations of natural cosmetic products such as skincare, cleansing gels and make-up. From mascaras, eye-liners and lipsticks to lotions by way of creams and haircare products, vegetal gums in general and acacia gum in particular, are considered by formulators as natural, completely harmless and healthy ingredients.
Thanks to their viscosity and rheological and texturing properties, they bring
stability and texture to cosmetics. They can also be used as emulsifiers in lotions or serums which require specific textures.
Loredana Dattilo, General manager at Grif Cosmetics, said: “Acacia gum enriches the consistency and coating ability of mascaras, for example. It helps with emulsification when combined with other natural surfactants for liquid foundations. More generally, the touch is more “melting” in the presence of acacia gum and the difference is noticeable in the comparative tests we carried out.“
A growing and changing market
In ten years, the cosmetics market has changed completely. Consumers are now looking for natural, simple and ethical products that are good for them and the planet. More transparency and responsibility is expected from brands, which must reformulate or create beauty products and cosmetic that fit these expectations.
The properties of natural gums make it possible to respond to the evolution of recent societal trends, in all their diversity. A real miracle product, they combine nutritional, functional and also environmental benefits. In order to answer this expectation for transparency, DemeCare® products are organic and Cosmos certified, and the receive the maximum rating according to the ISO 16128 Standard, which defines the ingredients of natural and organic cosmetics.
Interested in DemeCare® ?
2022 looking promising for ALLAND & ROBERT
Alland & Robert finished the year 2021 with a 10.4% increase in turnover. This was driven by the overall rise in demand for acacia gum. In 2022, we will continue our growth in new markets. Here is an overview our (many!) current and future projects.
A new production line, expanded product ranges, and recognition of the nutritional qualities of acacia gum are some of the developments and projects which will shape the coming months at Alland & Robert.
To support our intense activity in 2021, we have already recruited twenty employees in the R&D, Production, Quality, Logistics and Sales teams. This trend is set to continue.
A fourth production line to be built in Normandy
In 2022, Alland & Robert will begin constructing its fourth production line in its Saint-Aubin-sur-Gaillon factory in the department of Eure. “The €11 million investment we announced at the end of 2020 is coming to fruition. This project will ultimately increase our production capacity by 45%, of natural gums.” adds Charles Alland, deputy general director.
The launch of DemeCare®, a new range of natural gums for cosmetics – COSMOS certified !
The Demecare® range features twelve products made with two natural gums, gum sterculia and gum acacia. Since it was founded, Alland & Robert
has been developing a comprehensive knowledge of natural, plant-based gums. Alland & Robert is now providing its expertise to cosmetics brands for the formulation of clean, sustainable, organic skincare and beauty products to address the needs of today’s consumers.
The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recognises the nutritional qualities of acacia gum
At the end of December 2021, the FDA announced that it intended to include acacia gum in the FDA definition of dietary fibre, rubberstamping the results of several clinical studies by a working group of manufacturers including Alland & Robert. Two specialist clinical nutrition laboratories, including a university, designed and conducted these tests. According to the studies, acacia gum specifically reduces blood glucose and insulin levels when included in meals with carbohydrates. “This FDA decision will be felt beyond the United States as many countries apply the FDA guidelines in their local markets. It also confirms the benefits of acacia gum on human health,” explains Violaine Fauvarque, communications and marketing manager.
Acacia gum can improve the nutri-score of biscuits from C to A
Following its study into the gut health benefits of acacia gum (insert link), Alland
& Robert conducted various trials on biscuit formulations. We wanted to demonstrate that acacia gum helps formulate healthy and natural biscuits. The key finding of the trials was that the Nutri-Score of a classic multigrain biscuit recipe improved from C to A, the best rating, as sugar was reduced by 30% and acacia gum was introduced.
Acacia gum also had a positive impact on the texture, crunchiness, and crumbliness of biscuits. In nutritional terms, acacia gum enhances them with prebiotic fibre with high digestive tolerance, which is particularly useful for people with irritable bowel syndrome or who are sensitive to the presence of FODMAPs. This will whet the appetite of manufacturers in the extremely promising biscuit market, who are always looking for innovations to improve their recipes.
Concrete commitments to combat global warming
Alland & Robert also intends to bolster its short-term environmental commitment. By 2025, the company will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of processed rubber by a fifth. “These objectives are specific and realistic, and are in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement,” explains Violaine Fauvarque, communications and marketing manager. To this end, the firm has established a concrete action plan based on its carbon footprint updated in 2020. Several levers will be used, and will concern freight, packaging, and training staff to adopt green habits. The biggest progress will be made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the production workshops. At the same time, Alland & Robert is continuing its reforestation initiative in the Sahel and its investment in the Great Green Wall through the Alland Company Foundation. This African project is designed to create a “green barrier” to the desert by planting trees over 8,000 km in around twenty African countries. This initiative has allowed Alland & Robert to plant over 8,000 trees since 2020 and it has been able to support projects that help local communities live off forest products.
French market supported by agreement with new distributor
To undergird its growth in France, Alland & Robert signed an agreement with Firmalis at the end of 2021. Firmalis specialises in the distribution of speciality ingredients and flavours to the food and nutraceutical sectors. Its teams will complement those of Alland & Robert in France. As well as supporting business
development, Firmalis will be able to offer customers tailored and proactive solutions.
Organic acacia gum launched for the public in France
Alland & Robert declared the launch of its new organic acacia gum for the French public in late January 2022. Acacia gum is now available for kitchen enthusiasts to purchase on Greenweez and Shopify. “By offering acacia gum, Alland & Robert is meeting the requirements of consumers who want a healthier, more natural and organic diet,” explains Anne-Sophie Alland, head of strategy and development. To introduce the public to the properties of acacia gum, it has jointly developed recipes in with Clémence Catz and Vanessa Fouquet, two authors and chefs who specialise in plant-based cooking.
Come & visit us at In Cosmetics 2022 !
We can’t wait to meet you in person at In Cosmetics 2022!
We are excited to announce that for the first time, we will be attending In Cosmetics 2022, the meeting point for the personal care development community worldwide. We will be on booth P39, in the French pavillon.
The show takes place from April 5 to 7, in Paris Porte de Versailles. This year, the live event will be followed by an online show from April 11 to 22. Join us on both live and digital events!
Why visit us at In Cosmetics?
Discover the versatility of natural gums and their numerous applications in cosmetics and personal care products.
Vegetal gums in general, and acacia gum in particular, are considered by formulators as natural, completely harmless and healthy ingredients. Thanks to their viscosity and rheological and texturing properties, they bring stability and texture to cosmetics. They can also be used as emulsifiers in lotions or serums which require specific textures.
Natural gums help formulate clean and sustainable care products. They are at the forefront of the cosmetic market trends as they are vegan, sustainable and responsible.
Our R&D team will be there to answer your questions and discuss the formulation of safe, clean and sustainable care products. In addition, Alland & Robert will have a special announcement to make on this occasion!
So feel free to stop by our booth!
ACACIA GUM, a prebiotic fiber now FDA APPROVED !
Acacia gum is a natural source of fiber that will bring benefits to any food & beverages.
Acacia gum is safe and natural ingredient, and comes from an exudation of wild acacia trees growing in the African desert. From a chemical point of view, acacia gum is a complex polysaccharide. Also know as acacia fiber, gum arabic or E414, acacia gum is recognized as a dietary fiber and can be added to any product formulation to increase the percentage of fiber.
An ideal ingredient for natural and healthy products formulation
100% plant based and natural, acacia gum can be present in food and beverages as texture agent, emulsifier, stabilizer, and for its high fiber content.
Acacia gum can be easily added in any formulation of food and beverages: it does not impact the taste or color of products, and has a low calorie count. Alland & Robert research has proven that acacia gum is resistant to acidity and heat, and has a very slow fermentation, which means a very small evolution of the fiber content during the shelf-life of food products.
In addition, acacia gum is ideal for the formulation of food and beverages that contain low fat or low sugar, and of vegan products, because acacia gum helps to compensate the loss of texture, volume and mouthfeel. These qualities makes acacia gum ideal for dietary applications and supplements and for fiber enrichment purposes.
The FDA approval: a decision with international repercussions
Since december 2021, acacia gum has been approved by the American FDA as a dietary fiber, and can now be classified as a fiber for nutrition labelling purposes in the United States.
Strong scientific literature demonstrates that acacia gum is a fibre. The FDA agreed that acacia gum has physiological effects beneficial to human health, such as the reduction of blood glucose and insulin levels after it is eaten with a meal containing a carbohydrate that raises blood glucose levels. Two laboratories specialized in clinical nutrition, including a university, designed and carried out these tests.
“This FDA decision will have an impact beyond the United States as many countries apply US Food and Health Authority guidelines in their local markets. It also confirms the benefits of acacia gum on human health,” explains Dr. Isabelle Jaouen, R&D Director at Alland & Robert.
In Europe, acacia gum is recognized as a fiber and there can be allegations depending on the dosage, such as “high in fiber” or “source of fiber”.
A prebiotic fiber with a positive impact on gut health
Acacia gum is a prebiotic fiber, which means several studies have shown it has a positive effect on the microbiome and helps the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Acacia gum generally supports the human microbiota and is used in formulation for lowering the glycemic index of food products. Highly soluble in water, acacia gum is very low in calories very slowly fermented, which means a very small evolution of the fiber content, and a great digestibility and tolerance, which meet the needs of people with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or sensitive to FODMAP.
In addition, Alland & Robert studied the benefits of acacia gum on gut health through a large consumer study in 2021. Our results evidenced that our product improves global digestive wellness and relieves the symptoms of intestinal discomfort. The intake of acacia gum has a beneficial effect on global consumers’ health, and thus acacia fibre is an efficient ingredient for the formulation of gut health friendly food and beverages.
ACACIA FIBRE, a natural, vegetal and safe range of acacia fiber by Alland & Robert
Alland & Robert created ACACIA FIBRE, a specific range that offers a guarantee of minimum 90% fiber content (international method AOAC 985-29).
All products from the ACACIA FIBRE range contain only one ingredient: natural acacia gum. Alland & Robert provides both seyal and senegal grade references, and all products are available organic or conventional. Our manufacturing process does not include any chemical transformation of the product, which keeps its functional and nutritional properties intact.
ACACIA FIBRE products are certified non-GMO and suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. Our technical assistance provides tailor-made solutions to help you formulate healthy, safe and natural products. We are the international expert of acacia gum since 1884.
Adding more fiber, an important and necessary evolution for the world population
Many studies point out that consumers all over the world do not eat enough fiber daily. Fiber deficiency is a health topic for millions of people, as it can lead to irregular bowel movement, constipation, blood sugar fluctuations, lack of satiety after eating or a rise in cholesterol levels.
A “miracle ingredient”, acacia gum combines nutritional, functional and environmental strengths with unique properties to respond to the need for more fiber, as well as other consumers demands such as more natural, plant-based, multifunctional and sustainable ingredients.