Our story
Delve into the story of our background for a glimpse at how it all started, and how we got to the innovative solutions that make us the ingredient company we are today.
International
1979
Production of animal proteins derived from pork rind launches in close partnership with a UK-based company. Protein solutions are targeted at the meat industry under the brand Protein Foods owned by Peter Holm/Danexport (later BHJ).
The production facility in Graasten (Denmark) is built and opens in 1981 initially as a joint venture. UK partner’s share is bought later by BHJ.
1980s
Intensive internationalization of the company during the 80s and 90s through worldwide establishment of subsidiaries and distributor network.
North America
1984
LGI establishes Proliant Meat Ingredients, a valuable supplier of meat stocks, broths and flavors to leading food developers worldwide.
International
1991
Acquisition of the production facility in Hobro (Denmark) from Grindsted Products (Danisco), where functional and high functional proteins derived from pork rind are still being manufactured. Back in 1991 the plant also produced soup stocks from bones.
1996
Protell Foods is established – a joint venture between Protein Foods Scandinavia and Ellco Food for the manufacture of soup stocks in Sweden. Processing equipment from Hobro is moved to Ellco Food in Stidsvig (Sweden).
Protell Foods acquires Marrow Meats, an Irish producer of soup stocks. The plant closes and production moves to Stidsvig (Sweden).
International
2004
LGI acquires BHJ A/S including the division BHJ Ingredients (later Essentia Protein Solutions).
2006
Acquisition of Ellco Food (Sweden), a joint venture partner owned by Swedish Quality Meat. As well as the joint venture activity in Protell Foods, Ellco Food manufactures edible fats, meat and bone meal, and edible greaves, and it processes edible blood to plasma and hemoglobin.
2009
Acquisition of Danexport Rus, a sales and distribution company in Russia distributing ScanPro™ products. This leads to the establishment of our sales subsidiary in Russia.
2008-10
Major investment in the production facility in Hobro (Denmark) including an additional production line for ScanPro™ T 95, a state-of-the-art fully automated packing and palletizing line, and a new warehouse.
International
2011
Sales office and facility in Argentina is established.
2012
BHJ Ingredients acquires CAP Protein in France from Diana (now Symrise). CAP Protein is a producer of high functional proteins from pork skin.
North America
2012
LGI commissions The Lab in Ankeny (USA) occupying 20,600 sq. feet covering pilot kitchen, conference and training rooms.
2012
Construction commences on stocks and broth plant in Harlan. Production starts 2014.
North America/International
2013
Merger between three significant protein producers owned by LGI Inc. - Proliant Meat Ingredients, Proliant Health, and BHJ Ingredients.
2015
Merging companies launched under one new brand, Essentia Protein Solutions.
Acquisition of Hojmark Group A/S, a fish protein research center including the production facility Danish Fish Protein A/S that manufactures stocks derived from cod, lobster, plaice and mussel.
2018
Acquisition of Scanflavour A/S, a leading protein manufacturer of meat-based protein solutions for the meat and dairy sectors.
Acquisition of Bensa/Prowico/Hewico, a group of production and distribution companies within functional ingredients and collagen peptides
Official inauguration of the entirely new food-grade plant in Granollers (Spain). A highly automated plant specialized in functional proteins and coloring foods derived from pork blood.
2019
New Appliation Center opens in Granollers equipped with modern meeting facilities and all the necessary machinery for recipe development and customer trials within meat processing, savory applications, and nutrition products.
North America/International
2019-2023
Huge expansion and modernization of the soup stock facility in Stidsvig (Sweden) delivering a 100% capacity expansion for the extraction process.
2022
Essentia NA is building a new broth manufacturing plant near Dalton, GA. The greenfield plant will process USDA-inspected, refrigerated raw material to produce food-grade stocks, broths, and fats. The new plant will increase Essentia’s capacity and capabilities for value-added, protein ingredients for human food and nutrition markets.
2023
In the move towards contributing to a sustainable future, Essentia is launching a dedicated department tasked with translating its commitment to sustainability into tangible targets and impactful programs. This strategic initiative underscores Essentia’s proactive approach to addressing global sustainability challenges.
2024
Essentia Protein Solutions' business transfer agreement with Ten Kate Protein Technologies to takeover CollaPro™ functional protein sales activities, effective 1 November 2024, solidifying Essentia’s global market presence.
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