Univar Solutions LLC, a leading global solutions provider of specialty ingredients and chemicals, and Shandong Head Group Co Ltd, a world leader in cellulose ether production, today jointly announced a significant strategic agreement. This partnership will broaden their existing specialty ingredient distribution collaboration into key European pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets, building upon the success of their recent North American alliance. This global expansion underscores a shared commitment to addressing the escalating worldwide demand for specialized ingredient solutions crucial for enhancing the performance and efficacy of oral solid dosage pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

The extension of this partnership into Europe marks a pivotal step for both companies. "Building on our successful collaboration in North America, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with Shandong Head Group into the European market, fulfilling a regional need for high-quality cellulose ethers and pharmaceutical excipients," stated Aaron Lee, global vice president of Health and Nutrition at Univar Solutions. "We anticipate a robust and enduring global relationship that delivers growth and consistency for our customers as we jointly drive innovation. Together, we aim to ensure that our customers have access to the best possible specialty ingredients and solutions that support their businesses and contribute to advancing health care and nutrition globally."

This agreement encompasses an extensive selection of methyl cellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) pharmaceutical-grade excipient offerings. Cellulose ethers are highly versatile excipients, finding widespread application in areas such as sustained and controlled-release formulations, film coating, binders, suspending agents, and solid dispersants. Excipients are multi-functional substances indispensable to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. They significantly contribute to the stability, bioavailability, and overall efficacy of medications, facilitating their proper absorption and delivery within the body.

"The strong alliance between Shandong Head Group and Univar Solutions is not only an important milestone for Head's globalization development, but also a new starting point for win-win cooperation between the two parties," remarked Jack Bee, the Chairman of Shandong Head Group. "We firmly believe that through Univar Solutions' strong specialty ingredient distribution network and deep market experience in Europe, our products will be integrated into the local market more quickly, providing customers with more convenient and efficient services."

This strategic partnership is set to benefit a wide range of European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Slovakia. Through this expanded collaboration, Univar Solutions and Shandong Head Group are poised to significantly enhance drug efficacy and patient outcomes across the European market, fostering a more sustainable and innovative future for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.