After establishing itself as a global leader in locust bean gum, extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, Nexira’s latest deal enables it to ensure transparency and supply resilience amid growing demand for natural texturizing ingredients.
Mathieu Dondain, VP and CEO of Nexira, explained the purchase additionally reflects the company’s ambition to invest in producers and local communities.
“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,” said Dondain.
He added that demand for locust bean gum has grown for several years thanks to its functional and nutritional benefits, and Nexira will continue to unlock “new value-added opportunities”.
“Today, growth is driven by the rapid expansion of clean-label reformulation, plant-based foods and nutritional applications, where locust bean gum provides natural texture, stability and ease of use while replacing more artificial alternatives.
“Beyond its well-established functional applications, we have invested in R&D to unlock new value-added opportunities for carob, including appetite management, plant proteins and cocoa replacement, extending its role from a texturizing ingredient to a multi-functional natural solution.”
Based in the Casablanca region of Morocco, Keragum recently commissioned a ‘state-of-the-art’ production facility, 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, in-keeping with Nexira’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility, evidenced by its NutraIngredients Awards for Sustainability Initiative of the Year 2025.
“Keragum brings modern industrial capacity, a robust and traceable local sourcing network, and authentic expertise rooted in Moroccan agriculture,” said Olivier Houalla, chief operating officer at Nexira. “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.”
The terms of the acquisition remain confidential.
Growing global botanical and fiber supply
The acquisition expands Nexira’s position in the locust bean gum market, complementing its established leadership in acacia fiber, where the company says it holds more than 40% global market share.
Locust bean gum is 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 revenue of €221 million, Nexira employs more than 300 people across six production sites and eight subsidiaries, with a presence in over 80 countries.
Its portfolio combines functional and nutritional ingredients with a wide range of botanical actives — including acerola for vitamin C, guarana for natural caffeine, and baobab— supporting applications in digestive health, weight management, stress management and sports nutrition.
Eco-friendly texturizing ingredient
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 has natural nutritional, thickening and stabilizing properties used across clean-label food and nutraceuticals.
