ACI Group

What ACI Group does

ACI Group is a privately held, family-run B2B ingredients and raw materials distributor headquartered in Maidenhead, United Kingdom, with a secondary office in Wakefield. Founded in 1989 and operating for over 35 years, the company sources and supplies innovative ingredients, products, and raw materials to manufacturers across four sectors: Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, and Road Building. ACI Group is structured as five divisions — Flomac (asphalt additives, warm mix, pigments, dosing), AllChem Pharma (APIs and excipients, GDP-certified), Naturis (plant-based proteins, fibres, bakery ingredients), AllChem Performance (industrial raw materials for aerospace, composites, inks, electronics), and Oomph Works (CRM, web development, digital marketing). It distributes a catalogue of roughly 237 products drawn from an international supplier base and operates a partner programme with warehousing and co-branded marketing support.

The company's core technical offerings sit in formulation-adjacent specialty ingredients rather than proprietary software. Flagship lines include EcoFlakes recycled polymer additives (exclusive UK rights via EcoPals GmbH, validated in UK Live Labs 2), TIP-TOP Ultra Clean low-dust release flour, Flomac warm mix and colour pigment systems, and a structured vegetable protein portfolio (IFF SUPRO, TruPro, Vitacel fibres) for plant-based and hybrid food applications. Service extensions include the Synevo NPD consultancy for sugar/fat reduction and shelf-life extension, plus an Oomph CRM platform offered on a 14-day free trial.

ACI Group earns revenue through a transactional margin model on ingredients distribution, supplemented by project-based and subscription fees from Oomph Works. Pricing is quote-based via a customer portal and direct sales, with no public list pricing. The company is ISO9001:2015 certified, holds GDP certification for pharmaceutical distribution, and claims to be the first distributor awarded the Social Value Quality Mark Silver Award. Its enterprise customer base spans Colas, Aggregate Industries, Kier, Tayside Contracts (road infrastructure); Quorn, Cambridge Weight Plan, Wholebake, Reckitt Benckiser (food/health); Bristol Laboratories, Flynn Pharma (pharma); and Laleham Health & Beauty.

Name

ACI Group

Legal name

ACI Group Ltd.

Website

https://acigroup.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ACI Group is a family-run UK B2B distributor of innovative ingredients and raw materials serving manufacturers in the Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, and Road Building sectors through five divisions including Flomac, Naturis, AllChem Pharma, and Oomph Works.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Ingredient and Raw Material Distribution

NAICS

Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Food-Grade Additives & Functional Ingredients Trading/Wholesale (AFAIAKAI)

Keywords

• Specialty ingredient distribution
• Pharmaceutical raw materials
• Asphalt additives supply
• Food ingredient sourcing
• Industrial chemical distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Slough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ingredient & Raw Material Distribution: ACI Group generates revenue by sourcing and distributing innovative ingredients, products, and raw materials to manufacturers across Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, and Road Building sectors. Revenue is derived from the margin between sourcing costs and sales to manufacturers, supported by logistics and supply chain services.
2. Digital / CRM Solutions (Oomph): Oomph, the tech arm of ACI Group, provides web development, CRM, and digital marketing services, generating revenue through project-based or subscription service fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ACI Group supplies innovative ingredients, products, and raw materials to manufacturers in the Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, and Road Building sectors, operating through five divisions: Flomac (road additives), Naturis (food ingredients), AllChem Pharma (APIs and excipients), AllChem Performance (industrial chemicals), and Oomph Works (digital CRM and web development). The company sources an international catalogue of 237 products alongside proprietary lines such as EcoFlakes recycled polymer additives and TIP-TOP Ultra Clean low-dust flour, supported by formulation expertise, ISO9001 and GDP quality certifications, warehousing and logistics.

Product overview

ACI Group is a family-run ingredients and raw materials distributor operating for over 35 years, serving Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, and Road Building market sectors. The company operates through five divisions: Flomac (roads/construction), AllChem Performance (industrial chemicals), AllChem Pharma (pharmaceuticals), Naturis (food ingredients), and Oomph Works (technology/CRM). The core offering comprises proprietary products like EcoFlakes recycled polymer additives, TIP-TOP Ultra Clean low-dust flour, and Synevo NPD consultancy services, alongside a catalogue of 237 ingredients spanning proteins, fibres, emulsifiers, bitumen additives, botanical extracts, and mineral ingredients. The Oomph Works tech division provides a CRM platform alongside web development and digital marketing services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Flomac: Road construction additives including warm mix technologies, emulsifiers, adhesion promoters, and colours for asphalt production.
• AllChem Pharma
• AllChem Performance
• ACI Naturis
• Oomph Works
• EcoFlakes
• TIP-TOP Ultra Clean
• Synevo

Products and services

• EcoFlakes Recycled Polymer Additives Sustainable recycled polymer additives derived from post-consumer and post-industrial recycled materials, compatible with PP, PE, PET and multi-polymer systems, designed for asphalt road surfacing and polymer manufacturing. Validated in UK Live Labs 2 trials and deployed in North Lanarkshire Motherwell scheme. For road infrastructure manufacturers and polymer producers seeking sustainable alternatives to virgin additives.
• TIP-TOP Ultra Clean Release Flour Hydrothermally treated release flour supplied via GoodMills Innovation that reduces airborne flour dust by 70-80% compared with conventional dusting flours, positioned as a substitution-led control under the COSHH hierarchy to address baker's asthma occupational hazard. Available in conventional and organic formats. For bakery manufacturers seeking reduced occupational dust exposure and HSE compliance.
• Flomac Warm Mix Technology Warm mix asphalt technology allowing asphalt production at 100°C to 140°C, approximately 40°C lower than hot-mix, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while improving compaction and extending paving season. Distributed via the Flomac brand for road construction customers.
• Flomac Colour Pigment Granular colour pigment for hot mix asphalt, pre-dispersed in high-resistance polymers and special additives. Reduces required pigment quantity by 50% compared to powder pigments, is 100% dust free, and improves colour intensity and mechanical properties of the mix. For coloured asphalt and synthetic pavement applications.
• Oomph CRM Platform Intuitive CRM solution created by Oomph Works (ACI Group's tech arm), accessible via portal.scm.oomph.systems, offered with a 14-day free trial. For SMEs and sales teams needing customer relationship management, website development and digital marketing services.
• Synevo New Product Development Consultancy New product development consultancy and management service for food sector applications including sugar reduction, fat reduction, sensorial improvement, shelf-life extension, and nutritional improvement. For food manufacturers needing formulation and NPD expertise.
• Specialty Protein and Functional Food Ingredients Catalogue A distribution catalogue of specialty food ingredients including Supro 500E IP isolated soy protein, Supro Max 5050 IP structured vegetable protein, Brown Rice Protein 80%, Hytolive Oleafresh 9% Powder olive-derived antioxidant, Inositol polyol, AquaMin Tg marine-derived multi-mineral, TruPro Series functional proteins, and Vitacel WF Series wheat fibres (WF 101, WF 200, WF 600). Distributed via the Naturis division for food manufacturers and bakery producers.

Quantifiable outcome

• TIP-TOP Ultra Clean flour reduces airborne flour dust by 70-80%, addressing baker's asthma occupational hazard at source
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EcoPals GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACI Group is the exclusive UK supplier of EcoFlakes, a flagship range of recycled polymer additives from EcoPals GmbH. EcoFlakes are validated in UK Live Labs 2 trials for sustainable road materials and represent a core sustainable product line for ACI Group.
• NouryoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACI Group (Flomac) is Nouryon's distributor of choice in the UK for specialty chemicals used in road construction applications. Nouryon has 400 years of history and is a global specialty chemicals leader.
• ASL (Antlia Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationASL provides dosing systems, pumps and packages for the efficient storage, measured dosing and pumping of liquid additives for asphalt production. Partnered through Flomac for road industry customers.
• Euro-ChemicalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuro-Chemicals provides specific raw materials for the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. A partner in the Flomac Joint Venture, Euro-Chemicals provides support to Roads customers for core products such as Gilsonite and Colourings.
• Allchem PharmacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllchem Pharma supplies an exhaustive range of active pharmaceutical raw materials (APIs) and excipients for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, veterinary, and medical applications. Part of ACI Group's Health & Wellbeing division.
• BuchlerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuchler specialises in the manufacture of plant extracts for pharmaceutical, food and fine chemical industries, focusing on Cinchona alkaloids and quinic acid sourced from UTZ and Fairtrade certified organisations in Central Africa.
• GoodMills InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoodMills Innovation provides bakery ingredients and protein supplements, including the TIP-TOP range of low-dust release flours that reduce baker's asthma risk. Partners with ACI Group's Naturis division.
• GreenFieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenField is a stable and independent producer of niche, fully natural ingredients for food industry, cosmetics and animal feed/pet food, including dried fruit seeds, dietary fibres, cold pressed oils, and dried pomaces.
• RoyalBuismanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyalBuisman produces naturally caramelised sugar products that strengthen the flavour of coffee, bread, pastry and cocoa-based products without adding gluten, acrylamide or E numbers.
• Chemische Fabrik BergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChemische Fabrik Berg is a global supplier for the pharmaceutical industry, founded in 1953 as a spin-off from Wilhelm Berg KG. Partners with ACI Group's Health & Wellbeing division.
• Kolon IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKolon Industries has produced nylon since 1957 and is a top global chemical and materials company. Partners with ACI Group's Industrial Chemicals division.
• IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFF is a market leader in meat-alternative products and high quality proteins, providing innovative ingredients for 'better for you' food products. ACI Group distributes IFF's SUPRO soy protein portfolio for whey replacement applications.
• BASFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASF has 150+ years of experience in dietary supplements, food and beverage industry, offering food performance ingredients such as aerating emulsifiers, enzymes, whipping agents, health ingredients and colorants.
• JANA (Jubail Chemical Industries)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJANA is the only producer of Epoxy resins in the Middle East and Africa, with capacity of 120,000 Metric Tons per year. Produces Liquid, Solution and Solid Epoxy resins under Araldite and Razeen brands.
• JHSI (Jingzhou Jianghan Fine Chemical)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJHSI specialises in silane coupling agents including sulfur silane, amino silane, alkyl silane, phenyl silane, and silicone rubber additives. Executive member of the China Fluorosilicone Industrial Association.
• Shin-A T&CminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShin-A T&C was established in 2006 as a leading manufacturer of epoxy, acrylate and urethane resins with high quality and eco-friendly products. Materials used in electronic and display fields.
• Flomac LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlomac is a core brand of ACI Group supplying asphalt additives, emulsifiers, adhesion promoters, warm mix technologies and colour pigments for the road industry. Related entity within ACI Group.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Cornelius Group: UK-based chemicals and ingredients distributor serving personal care, food, and industrial customers. Domestic peer to ACI with very similar product, customer, and channel overlap.
• Connell Brothers: Asia-Pacific-focused specialty ingredients and chemicals distributor under Wilbur-Ellis. Operates a comparable value-added supplier-partner distribution model but on a different geography than ACI's UK focus.

Direct peers

• Hawkins, Inc. US specialty chemical and ingredient distributor serving food, pharma, and industrial markets. Similar supplier-relationship-driven model serving mid-to-large manufacturers.
• Univar Solutions: Major North American chemical and ingredients distributor with expanding food ingredient line; comparable in product breadth and supplier-distribution-partner model though geographically skews Americas.
• Caldic: Distributor of specialty ingredients and chemicals for life sciences, food, and industrial markets across EMEA and APAC. Closely aligned with ACI's multi-sector specialist positioning and value-added technical sales focus.
• Barentz International: Specialty ingredients distributor focused on food, nutrition, personal care, and pharma markets. Direct peer given heavy food/pharma ingredient mix and pan-European supplier-partner distribution model.
• Brenntag: Global market leader in chemical and ingredients distribution across food, pharma, and industrial end-markets. Directly comparable to ACI's multi-sector B2B ingredients distribution model at vastly larger scale.
• Azelis Group: Global specialty distributor of food ingredients, pharma excipients, and industrial chemicals with strong European presence. Closely comparable customer-segment mix and supplier-partner model to ACI.
• IMCD NV: Specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor serving personal care, pharma, food, and industrial customers across Europe. Comparable in distributing high-value-added specialty additives and being a value-added partner rather than a bulk commodity player.

Others

• S&D Group (now part of Brenntag): UK chemicals, ingredients, and formulated-products specialist serving food and household care. Comparable multi-segment specialty distribution model within the UK market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aci-group-ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACI Group