05.01.05
Colloides Naturels International (CNI), Bridgewater, NJ, was founded in 1895 and is still privately held by the 3rd generation of the Dondain family—brothers Stephane and Gontran Dondain are the current owners. Initially CNI was set up as a trading company to leverage its relationships in Africa to source a variety of specialty products, as well as some commodities. Over time, the business became more focused on acacia gum, or gum arabic, as the company began processing acacia gum to produce unique products for specific applications.
For more than 110 years CNI has been investing in the diversification of acacia gum sources all over Africa in order to select the highest quality gums and to ensure its supplying origins. With its headquarters in Normandy, France, CNI maintains a strong international network that includes subsidiaries in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Russia, Germany and the U.K. CNI oversees the acacia gum transformation process, from harvesting to marketing, contributing to the development of new technologies, improving the properties of its product and studying new applications.
Several years ago, CNI developed and branded a line of products named Fibregum. This product line is based on 100% acacia gum selected for its dietary fiber content. Fibregum products are used in a wide range of food and nutraceutical applications to provide dietary fiber and additional benefits such as moisture management and extended shelf life. Guaranteed to contain a minimum of 90% soluble dietary fiber, Fibregum can be used in tablets, nutrition bars, beverages, juices, baked goods, and most any application where additional fiber is required.
During the last year, according to Sharrann Simmons, vice president and general manager, CNI has significantly grown its Fibregum business on a global scale. “The nutraceutical industry has been identified by CNI as a high growth industry with a need for natural and functional sources of dietary fiber,” she said.
To manage industry growth, CNI recently opened an applications lab at its U.S. headquarters. Sebastien Baray has been named U.S. technical manager and he will manage all application development and technical service for U.S. customers.
Offering her opinion on the state of the industry, Ms. Simmons said it still has excellent growth potential but companies need to be very open and honest in their marketing efforts to consumers. “The ephedra situation and the proliferation of exaggerated and false label claims have made some consumers skeptical and nervous about nutraceutical products,” she said. Speaking in terms of CNI’s future direction specifically, Ms. Simmons said the company is currently involved in a growth and diversification program, which it hopes will result in the acquisition of another specialty ingredient company that is complementary to its acacia gum and Fibregum portfolio of products.
Moving forward, Ms. Simmons said there will be continued focus on nutraceutical and food ingredients that offer a clear health benefit. “CNI believes its success depends on offering customers the combination of health attributes with technical functionality,” she said. “These elements combined add value and attractiveness to a food ingredient.”—T.W.
Colloides Naturels International
1140 U.S. Hwy 22, Suite 102
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Telephone: 908-707-9400
Fax: 908-707-9405
E-mail: simmons@cnius.com
Website: www.cniworld.com
For more than 110 years CNI has been investing in the diversification of acacia gum sources all over Africa in order to select the highest quality gums and to ensure its supplying origins. With its headquarters in Normandy, France, CNI maintains a strong international network that includes subsidiaries in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Russia, Germany and the U.K. CNI oversees the acacia gum transformation process, from harvesting to marketing, contributing to the development of new technologies, improving the properties of its product and studying new applications.
Several years ago, CNI developed and branded a line of products named Fibregum. This product line is based on 100% acacia gum selected for its dietary fiber content. Fibregum products are used in a wide range of food and nutraceutical applications to provide dietary fiber and additional benefits such as moisture management and extended shelf life. Guaranteed to contain a minimum of 90% soluble dietary fiber, Fibregum can be used in tablets, nutrition bars, beverages, juices, baked goods, and most any application where additional fiber is required.
During the last year, according to Sharrann Simmons, vice president and general manager, CNI has significantly grown its Fibregum business on a global scale. “The nutraceutical industry has been identified by CNI as a high growth industry with a need for natural and functional sources of dietary fiber,” she said.
To manage industry growth, CNI recently opened an applications lab at its U.S. headquarters. Sebastien Baray has been named U.S. technical manager and he will manage all application development and technical service for U.S. customers.
Offering her opinion on the state of the industry, Ms. Simmons said it still has excellent growth potential but companies need to be very open and honest in their marketing efforts to consumers. “The ephedra situation and the proliferation of exaggerated and false label claims have made some consumers skeptical and nervous about nutraceutical products,” she said. Speaking in terms of CNI’s future direction specifically, Ms. Simmons said the company is currently involved in a growth and diversification program, which it hopes will result in the acquisition of another specialty ingredient company that is complementary to its acacia gum and Fibregum portfolio of products.
Moving forward, Ms. Simmons said there will be continued focus on nutraceutical and food ingredients that offer a clear health benefit. “CNI believes its success depends on offering customers the combination of health attributes with technical functionality,” she said. “These elements combined add value and attractiveness to a food ingredient.”—T.W.
Colloides Naturels International
1140 U.S. Hwy 22, Suite 102
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Telephone: 908-707-9400
Fax: 908-707-9405
E-mail: simmons@cnius.com
Website: www.cniworld.com
