Ingredients and bakery firm Puratos has acquired Italian ingredients specialist Bakery Future Lines (BFL), as it plans to expand production and meet consumer demand.

BFL is specialised in innovating ‘natural yeast’ and sourdough products - areas which Puratos believes are in high demand from consumers.

Daniel Malcorps, chief executive of Puratos, said: “Recent consumer surveys have shown a clear interest in more natural bakery goods, with sourdough being particularly popular.

“With BFL’s long-standing reputation as one of the primary providers of natural yeast products and mixes, Puratos intends to further satiate consumer appetite for natural products.”

The company is confident that BFL’s speciality sweet bread products, such as panettone, colomba and pandoro, will be in high demand.

Stefan Cappelle, business unit director bakery flavours and yeast at Puratos, said: “In the past 20 years, sourdough and natural yeast products have become popular again, mainly due to changes in perceptions relating to diet and increased levels of health consciousness.

BFL is based in La Spezia, Liguria in Italy. The company works with bakers to provide ingredients that make baking bread easier.

Puratos is currently celebrating UK sourdough month.