First dedicated facility for gluten-free products in the UK

UK-BASED Bowman Ingredients, a major global supplier of gluten-free crumb systems and food coatings for the food processing industry, is adding a facility to develop and produce gluten-free crumb systems.

The multimillion pound-invested facility will be UK’s first dedicated manufacturing plant for gluten-free products, which are projected to continue rising as it goes mainstream. Bowman expects 40% growth in the market this year. According to recent studies, the market in the UK alone is forecast to expand to £500 million by 2019.  

The new facility, expected to start operating within the next 12 months, will churn out coatings products and ingredients with less than 5ppm (parts per million) of gluten. It will be equipped with the latest production equipment and processing technology.

Crispy fried chicken with rice © Mythja | Dreamstime.com

Bowman produces a full range of coatings for frozen and chilled food, including breadcrumbs, batter mixes, predusts and dry mix marinades for value-added meat, poultry, fish, potato, and vegetable products. It develops and supplies coatings for chicken products served in market-leading quick service restaurants across the UK, Europe, and Russia.

The Hitchin, Hertfordshire-based company works with food processors around the world to develop products for major retailers and quick service restaurant chains. It has two production facilities in Hitchin and additional manufacturing sites in South Africa, Australia, and Thailand.

According to CEO Rory Bowman, “This investment marks a major step in our global business growth strategy. Gluten-free crumb systems already account for a significant share in our total breadcrumb business and we are forecasting that this substantial growth story will continue.”