UK baking mix supplier LFI Tollblend Ltd has been acquired by French business Lesaffre.

Yeast and fermentation supplier Lesaffre said it was pursuing growth in the baking ingredients market in Western Europe with the acquisitions of LFI Tollblend and also Spanish firm Tecno Bakery.

The moves are part of Lesaffre’s ongoing expansion strategy in sourdoughs and baking ingredients.

Worcester-based LFI Tollblend Ltd makes ingredient mixes for the baking and processed foods sectors and has a large gluten-free production capability. It employs 35 people.

Lesaffre already has DCL Yeast and Fermex in the UK, but with the Tollblend acquisition the company looks forward “to widening its bakery offering”, according to Mike Abraham, general manager of Lesaffre UK & Ireland.

Barcelona-based Tecno Bakery specialises in the production of enzyme-based improvers and correctors for flour-milling.