Our History
Stretching back almost 150 years, Alland & Robert’s story combines adventure, science and innovation.
Today, we continue to work towards positive impact, purpose and progress.
1884
Founding of the company
Visionary chemist Francisque Alland and his partner Alfred Robert set up a company in Paris to market acacia gum from the Sahel in Europe.
1890
Sourcing in Africa
Responsible for sourcing, adventurous Francisque Alland frequently travelled to East Africa and became a well-known figure in the local acacia market.
1895
Trading natural gums
On Francisque’s death, his son Adolphe Alland took over and made regular trips to different East & West African countries. He was passionate about natural gums and helped reinforce Alland & Robert’s ties in the continent.
1912
Developing internationally
Business continued to expand, and the company took part in its first international exhibitions and trade shows. At the time, we imported and sold acacia, karaya and tragacanth gum.
1925
Anchoring expertise
Adolphe Alland’s soon gained a reputation as a natural gum expert with a deep knowledge of Africa – thanks to his extensive travelling. His studies on the Sudanese acacia trees were published in botanical reviews.
1940
Handing over to the 3rd generation
Newly appointed CEO René Alland took over the reins and continued the family business, although the outbreak of World War II slowed development.
1945
Transforming acacia gum
Alland & Robert began transforming acacia gum using a new crushing and pulverisation process – an innovation that would revolutionise the industry. These were our very first steps as an industrial company.
1967
Purchasing company shares
René Alland bought all the company shares from the Robert family, although the original company name remained unchanged.
1970
Welcoming the fourth generation
René Alland’s son Bernard took over. Through his vision and determination, production capacity increased, and Alland & Robert built its first plant in Port-Mort (Normandy, France) in 1972.
1974
Optimising logistics
As the city of Paris grew, we moved all our raw materials to Port-Mort in Normandy. The company’s historic location in Le Marais was still (and still is) home to our administrative & sales offices with a team of about 15 today.
1984
Opening new horizons
Frédéric Alland became the new CEO. Under his influence, Alland & Robert accelerated internationalisation, while developing production capacity and our distribution network.
1990-2000
Focus on nature
Having long prioritised sustainability, Alland & Robert continued to promote sustainable development and organic grades, focusing exclusively on natural plant exudates like acacia, shellac, karaya and tragacanth gum.
2002
Spray drying
We built our first spray drying tower in Port Mort, Normandy, France.
2005
Research & Development
Convinced that science holds the key to progress, we invested massively in research & development. R&D Director Dr. Isabelle Jaouen initiated partnerships with universities for applied and fundamental research on acacia gum and structured the R&D department.
2007
Expanding spray drying
We built a second spray-drying tower at our newly acquired production site in Saint-Aubin-sur-Gaillon (Normandy, France). More manufacturing areas and offices were added later.
2009
Certifying food safety
Alland & Robert received BRC certification thanks to a comprehensive management policy covering food safety, traceability and quality.
2013
Building a 3rd spray drying tower
Our acacia gum production capacity increased (again) with the inauguration of a third spray drying tower. We invested €5 million in new equipment and storage for raw materials and end products.
2018
Bringing fresh energy
Representing the 6th generation, Charles Alland and Anne-Sophie Alland joined the company. In Saint-Aubin, Alland & Robert built a new technological & culinary platform for training, and a new laboratory for quality control and applied research.
2019
Launching a Joint Venture in India
Alland & Robert embarked on a joint venture in India with local food ingredient expert Sayaji to produce acacia gum products for the Indian market.
2021
Setting up a corporate foundation
Alland & Robert created a corporate foundation to help preserve the Sahel, prevent desertification and support local communities.
2024
Marking 140 years of expertise
We celebrated 140 years of passion, commitment and research. From humble beginnings to global impact as the leading manufacturer of natural gums, exporting products on all continents in 70 countries via a network of 40 local distributors.
Our ambitions are high, but our values are grounded
1884
Founding of the company
Francisque Alland, chemist, and his partner Alfred Robert create their company in Paris, France. They source acacia gum in Africa and import it in Europe.
1890
Direct sourcing in Africa
Francisque Alland is in charge of sourcing raw materials in Africa. He starts to travel to East Africa.
1895
Trading several gums
After Francisque’s death, Adolphe Alland travels more and more to Eastern & Western Africa. He is passionnate about natural gums, and Alland & Robert has strong ties to Africa.
1912
International exhibitions
Alland & Robert developps its activity and participates in international exhibitions and trade shows. The company sells acacia, karaya and tragacanth gums.
1925
A renowned expertise
Adolphe Alland’s travels have made him a public figure known for his expertise in gums and his knowledge of Africa. His studies on the Sudanese acacia trees are renowned and published in Botanical reviews.
1940
Third generation family company
René Alland is ready to continue the family business and takes over the company.
1945
Product transformation
Alland & Robert initiates the transformation of acacia gum using a crushing and pulverization process.
1967
Purchase of company shares to the Robert family
René Alland buys all the company shares from the Robert family, but the original company name is unchanged.
1970
The fourth generation is here
Bernard Alland takes over. Through his driving force, the production capacity will increase and Alland & Robert’s first plant will be built in 1972 in Port-Mort (Normandy, France).
1974
Expansion of the company
All storage is moved from Paris to Port-Mort. The Paris location – inside the famous 3rd district “Le Marais”- remains part of the company as the administrative & sales offices.
1984
Going more and more international
Frédéric Alland, becomes CEO of the company and under his influence, Alland & Robert accelerates its internationalization.
1990-2000
Focus on natural and vegetal
Alland & Robert focuses on the transformation and selling of natural and vegetal plant exudates, like acacia, shellac, karaya, tragacanth gums.
2002
The first spray drying tower
The first spray drying tower is built in Port Mort (Normandy, France).
2005
Research & Development
Alland & Robert invests massively in Research & Development and initiates partnerships with universites for applied and fundamental research on acacia gum.
2007
The second spray drying tower
A second drying tower is built at the newly acquired production site in Saint-Aubin-sur-Gaillon (Normandy, France).
2009
Food safety certification
For the 1st time, Alland & Robert receives BRC certification, as a result for a very strong Quality management policy.
2013
The third spray drying tower in Saint-Aubin
Alland & Robert production capacity of acacia gum keeps increasing with the creation of a third spray drying tower. Alland & Robert invests 5 million euros in this new equipment and extends storage spaces for its raw materials and end products.
2018
Bringing more energy
Representing the 6th generation, Charles Alland and Anne-Sophie Alland join the company. In Saint-Aubin, Alland & Robert expands with a new technological & culinary platform for training, and a new laboratory for quality control, quality assurance & applied research.
2019
Launch of Indian Joint Venture Alland & Sayaji
Alland & Robert launches Indian Joint-Venture “Alland & Sayaji” with local company Sayaji, for the production of acacia gum for the local Indian market.
2021
Creation of the Corporate Foundation Alland
Alland & Robert creates a Corporate Foundation in order to help preserve the Sahel environment, prevent desertification and protect the local African communities.
2022
138 years of expertise in natural gums
Alland & Robert’ expertise is now 138 years old. The company is internationally recognized as the leading manufacturer of natural gums, and particularly acacia gum. Alland & Robert now exports products on all continents in 70 countries via a network of 40 local distributors.