Dallas-based Kali-Extracts Inc. (Kaly) highlighted “exploding” demand for its cannabidiol (CBD) extraction services. The company has begun harvesting its first hemp crop in New York signed under a consignment contract worth a potential $5 million, it says. With hemp harvesting season underway, Kaly uses a mobile extraction infrastructure and has the ability to go from farm to farm and extract the raw hemp oil on site before sending it to a lab for CBD extraction. The company’s CBD extraction services are currently focused in the Northeast, but the company plans to expand nationwide in 2020.

SweeGen Inc., Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., announced that it has received an additional strategic investment from and led by Sumitomo Chemical, Tokyo, and private equity fund Outlook Investment Group. Part of the investment will support SweeGen’s expansion of an additional manufacturing site located in Europe with a capacity to produce 3,000 metric tons of non-GMO stevia sweeteners.

After acquiring a majority stake in Manchester, United Kingdom-based Soya International Ltd., AAK is set to become one of the world’s leading suppliers of specialty lecithin, it says. The business will trade under a new name, AAK Soya International Ltd. Available in more than 40 countries, the company’s products include non-GMO liquid lecithins, non-GMO powdered lecithins, organic lecithins and specialty lecithin solutions, which are used in the chocolate, dairy and infant nutrition industries. Sonny Arora, co-founder of Soya International, will remain as managing director of AAK Soya International.

White Marsh, Md.-based TIC Gums, a division of Westchester, Ill.-based Ingredion, offers ready-to-drink coffee stabilizers designed to meet functional, nutritional and label claim needs. Benefits include stabilization of various protein sources and ingredients, emulsification, suspension and the ability to withstand harsh processing conditions, the company says.

Lisle, Ill.-based Provident Spend Management has appointed Shail Shah as senior procurement consultant for ingredients. Shah’s hiring comes as a result of significant growth in the company’s Ingredient 2.0 and Master Distributor programs for reducing expenses and improving all aspects of sourcing, it says.

Despite more challenging growth conditions, Chr. Hansen, Milwaukee, delivered a strong EBIT margin of 29.6 percent and a healthy cash flow of 17 percent, while also making significant progress on key strategic priorities, the company says. The company ended the year with 7 percent organic growth for the group. For the full year, the Food Cultures and Enzymes division delivered organic growth of 8 percent, Health and Nutrition delivered 9 percent and Natural Colors delivered 3 percent.

Stephen DeCorte has joined ZoomEssence Inc. (Zoom), Hebron, Ky., as senior vice president of sales and marketing. DeCorte will lead Zoom’s commercialization efforts as they expand the flavor applications of its Zooming low-temperature drying technology. New opportunities include ready-to-drink beverages, nutrition bars, all natural, clean label and health-and-wellness brands.

Northbrook, Ill.-based Bell Flavors & Fragrances has appointed Mike Haracz as senior corporate chef, Ben Stanley as corporate chef and sweet applications manager, Harry Park as research chef, and promoted Casey Schallert to the position of senior research chef.