By partnering with Bunge, Blendtek is greatly expanding the variety of plant-based options available to its customers. The company, known for sourcing ingredients and developing custom blends, now offers several ingredients that not only align with current trends but also come from a reputable source recognized for quality and production capacity. Bunge’s ingredients cater to various applications, featuring diverse protein levels, flavors, colors, emulsifying properties, and viscosities. While these ingredients can be sourced directly from Bunge, manufacturers obtaining them through Blendtek can leverage the company’s formulation expertise. Bunge’s offerings complement other plant-based products from Blendtek, such as pumpkin and rice protein, vital wheat gluten, and wheat protein isolate, as well as the specific ingredient calcitrate, available in both 200 mg and 950 mg forms.
“Bunge and Blendtek are dedicated to collaborating closely with customers to deliver the optimal mix of quality ingredients and application knowledge necessary for creating exceptional plant-based foods and beverages that provide outstanding sensory experiences,” stated Rick Jackson, director of protein sales for Bunge in North America, in a written statement. “We are eager to partner with Blendtek to extend these advantages to a wider range of customers with the speed and agility required to boost their growth.”
Since its establishment through an acquisition in 2014, Blendtek has aimed to position itself as an innovator in the ingredient sector, focusing on emerging trends and solutions. In a 2017 profile in The Waterloo Region Record, company leaders expressed their intention to “solve real-world problems and challenge expectations.” Over the years, Blendtek has formed strategic agreements and made acquisitions that enhance its customer base and showcase its innovative spirit. In 2017, Blendtek secured an exclusive distribution agreement for certain ingredients from the Spanish microalgae firm Fitoplancton Marino. The 2020 acquisition of Tri-Blend Bakery Mixes, a commercial bakery mix provider, equipped Blendtek with the expertise needed to specialize in functional ingredient blends, baking mixes, and custom formulations.
In November of last year, Blendtek inaugurated a cutting-edge headquarters in Cambridge, Ontario. This 85,000-square-foot facility includes office space, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities, along with an R&D lab and a test kitchen specifically designed to help the company focus on niche segments, including plant-based products, and to explore the potential of calcitrate in various formulations.