Jeremy Xu

Jeremy Xu. Image supplied.

ABF Ingredients Hires Ingredion SVP Jeremy Xu as CEO

Global specialty ingredients producer ABF Ingredients has appointed Jeremy Xu as its new CEO. He will join the company on April 9. Xu is currently SVP, Chief Innovation Officer, and President of Global Healthful Solutions at global ingredient producer Ingredion. He will take over from Fabienne Saadane-Oaks, who has been CEO of ABFI since 2015 and has helped the company’s portfolio grow from four to seven businesses (AB Biotek Human Nutrition and Health, AB Enzymes, ABITEC, Fytexia, Ohly, PGP International and SPI Pharma). Xu will bring significant experience gained throughout a 30-year career at Dupont, DSM, and Ingredion. He will lead ABFI’s next phase of growth, which will involve enhancing capability in R&D and commercial activities through investment. “I have long admired ABFI from afar …

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The Cultivated B Canada, a subsidiary of Germany’s The Cultivated B, has been renamed as n!Biomachines.

© n!Biomachines

The Cultivated B Canada Rebrands to n!Biomachines, Pioneering Fit-for-Purpose Bioreactors

The German biotech The Cultivated B. announces that its subsidiary The Cultivated B Canada has been rebranded to n!Biomachines to reflect its mission in bioreactor engineering for successful biomanufacturing. (The notation ‘n!’ represents ‘factorial’, hence the name can be read as ‘factorial biomachines.’) n!Biomachines, located in Burlington, Ontario, develops and manufactures fit-for-purpose, affordable, and automated bioreactors, to enable the commercial scalability of cellular agriculture-derived ingredients for for food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and more. The Cultivated B. opened its bioreactor facility in 2022, as part of a strategic partnership with Ontario Genomics, a government-funded non-profit, to develop the economic potential of the cell ag industry.  Hamid Noori, CEO of n!Biomachines and The Cultivated B., comments: “The mathematical term, ‘n!’, or n factorial, acknowledges the core of our mission: scalability and …

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Impossible Foods new branding

© Impossible Foods

Impossible Foods Unveils Bold New Branding With Red Packaging to Target Meat Eaters

Impossible Foods has officially unveiled a bold new brand identity and packaging strategy at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. The company’s strategic shift aims to leverage the “craveability of meat” to appeal to meat eaters at every touchpoint, including both on-shelf packaging and the company’s digital identity. Marking a notable departure from its previous teal and white branding, Impossible Foods has embraced a vibrant red aesthetic. This decision aligns with multiple insights suggesting that meat-eaters are more receptive to plant-based products when presented in red, as red is associated with flavor and taste. A recent study conducted by ProVeg International found that the color of packaging plays an instrumental role in shaping consumer preferences and behaviors, with red packaging being particularly effective …

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Protein Transition Map

© Foodvalley NL

Foodvalley NL Launches Protein Transition Map, Showing 450+ Dutch Alt Protein Companies

Food transition organisation Foodvalley NL has published the Protein Transition Map NL, which shows over 450 companies active in the Dutch protein transition. The map includes an economic analysis, carried out in collaboration with Buck Consultants. This shows the added value in euros provided by the companies in each province, along with the number of employees. It indicates that the economic value of companies in the alternative protein industry has doubled since 2015, with their joint annual production value reaching at least €881 million. The total number of jobs provided is at least 3,500. It is hoped that the map could provide a practical way of addressing challenges in the alternative protein industry, such as scaling up production, securing investment, and improving taste and texture. …

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Antoine Baule of Bon Vivant

Antoine Baule, image courtesy of Bon Vivant

Bon Vivant Appoints Antoine Baule as Chairman of its Board of Directors

Bon Vivant, a French startup in the animal-free dairy sector, announces the appointment of Antoine Baule as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors. Baule is the former director general of Lesaffre, a key player in the global fermentation industry, and brings a wealth of experience in agro-industry and biotechnology to the firm. Lesaffre has been a leader in the fermentation sector for over a century, boasting a turnover of 2.2 billion euros with operations across all continents, and a workforce of 10,700 employees. The strategic appointment closely follows Bon Vivant’s raise of €15 million in an oversubscribed equity finance round for its precision fermentation-derived whey and casein proteins aimed at the B2B dairy alternative market. The company also announced in October its intentions …

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Pluri announces that it has secured a patent from the Israel Patent Office for its System for its 3D bioreactor plant cells technology.

© Pluri

Pluri Receives First-Ever Patent for 3D Bioreactor Technology in Plant Cell Cultivation

Pluri (Nasdaq:PLUR) (TASE:PLUR), parent company of the recently launched cell-based coffee biotech PluriAgtech, announces that it has secured a patent from the Israel Patent Office for its “System for 3D Cultivation of Plant Cells and Methods of Use.” Pluri claims this is the first-ever patent approval for 3D bioreactor technology in plant cell cultivation. Pluri’s 3D technology enables the cultivation of plant cells in bioreactors to develop sustainable and disease-free plant material for various sectors, from sustainable agriculture to healthcare.   According to the company,  approximately one-fifth of the 50,000 medical plants used today are on a list of threatened species, while climate change and restricted access to fresh water threaten temperature-sensitive crops such as coffee and cacao. Yaky Yanay, Pluri’s CEO and President, commented: “PluriAgtech’s patented …

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UMAMI Bioworks and Shiok Meats, have merged to establish a combined entity that will bring cultivated seafood closer to commercial viability.

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UMAMI Bioworks & Shiok Meats Merge to Commercialize Cultivated Seafood

Two cultivated seafood pioneers from Singapore — UMAMI Bioworks and Shiok Meats — have merged to establish a combined entity that will bring cultivated seafood closer to commercial viability. The strategic merge, believed to be the first in the cultivated seafood space, will leverage UMAMI Bioworks’ advanced production technologies with Shiok Meats’ research in crustacean cell cultivation. By combining their expertise, the companies expect to enhance go-to-market efficiencies, expand commercial opportunities, and accelerate regulatory approvals to introduce cultivated seafood products in the region while providing a production alternative to industrial fishing and aquaculture. Mihir Pershad, the CEO of UMAMI Bioworks, will lead the new company as CEO. He will be supported by global seafood investment leaders Hatch Blue and Aqua-Spark, who will join the company’s …

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LoveRaw named one of Europe's fastest-growing companies in FT1000 ranking

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LoveRaw Named One of Europe’s Fastest-Growing Companies in FT 1000 Ranking

UK-based vegan chocolate brand LoveRaw has been featured in the FT 1000, the Financial Times’ annual ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing companies compiled in collaboration with Statista. LoveRaw has been included after growing its CAGR by 61% from 2019 to 2021, despite a challenging economic environment. The brand offers four popular chocolate ranges — Cre&m Wafer Bars, Peanut Butter Cups, Nutty Choc Balls, and the Peanut Caramel Bar. The products are available at major retailers such as Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Ocado, Co-op, and Whole Foods Market. “Being recognized and ranked in the FT 1000 marks a pinnacle moment in our journey, a testament to the remarkable dedication and innovation of our team, both past and present,” said Rimi Thapar, co-founder and CEO of LoveRaw. Tesco accelerator …

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Earth Pass

© Earth Pass

Introducing Earth Pass: A Digital Platform Bridging the Gap Between Eco-Conscious Consumers and Vegan Businesses

In a recent development within the sustainable consumer goods sector, Earth Pass has launched a digital platform dedicated to connecting consumers with plant-based and environmentally conscious brands. Established by Noah Hyams, the founder of VEGPRENEUR, and Cara Scovazzo, the founder of Mod.Eats plant-based consulting, this platform offers a text-based service that delivers weekly discounts on products from 100% plant-based brands, providing an avenue for vegan startups to increase awareness and make their products more accessible.  Among the brands currently featured on Earth Pass are Moku Foods, Petaluma, and All Y’alls Foods. The platform offers discounts ranging from free products to 50% off in various categories, including food, fashion, wellness, and beauty, and is planning to expand its offerings by introducing in-store incentives and subscription services …

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Matthew Kenney © Instagram

New School Foods Enlists Chef Matthew Kenney for Plant-Based Salmon Fillet Launch

Plant-based seafood innovator, New School Foods, has welcomed Chef Matthew Kenney as a member of its Culinary Council. The council, an exclusive group of chefs and restaurateurs, will collaborate with New School Foods as the company prepares for the commercial launch of its plant-based salmon fillet later this year. Based in Toronto, Canada, New School Foods specializes in developing whole-cut, plant-based seafood that replicates conventional seafood’s texture, taste, nutritional benefits, and cooking experience. The collaboration aims to gather insights from established culinary experts to guide the final development of whole-muscle meat alternatives and support the growth of New School Foods’ network of restaurants. Chef Kenney, an American celebrity chef and the founder of Ascention, a plant-based IP holding company, will contribute by creating new recipes …

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Heura closes Series B round, forming plant-based alliance

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Heura Announces €38.3M Turnover and 63% Growth in International Sales

Spanish plant-based food startup Heura has announced that its turnover reached €38.3 million in 2023, while international sales rose by a huge 63%. In France, growth was particularly significant at 88%. A partnership with supermarket chain Waitrose allowed Heura to increase its presence in the UK, and the brand saw double-digit growth in all the other European markets where it has a presence. The announcement comes after Heura raised €40 million in Series B funding, in what was claimed to be the largest plant-based funding round of 2023. Among the investors was Upfield, which will work with Heura on a food tech collaboration. All the investors in the round will also join a board that aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system. …

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nestlé's Wunde pea-based milk

© Nestlé

Nestlé Discontinues Pea-Based Milk Alternative Wunda

Nestlé has withdrawn its yellow pea-based milk alternative, Wunda, from the market. The Swiss multinational company confirmed to Dutch publication Food+Agri that Wunda is no longer available in the Netherlands, and the product has also disappeared from international sites. Additionally, the brand’s dedicated website has been taken down. Wunda launched in 2021 and was one of the first milk alternatives made from yellow peas. While the product initially did well, there were suggestions that Nestlé may have entered the market too late. It also could be suggested that some consumers may have avoided the brand due to concerns about Nestlé’s ethical controversies in favour of other brands. Last year, Nestlé withdrew Wunda from sale in the UK, along with its plant-based meat brand Garden Gourmet. …

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Beyond Burger

© Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat’s Q4 2023 Earnings Exceed Analyst Estimates, Prompting Stock Surge

Plant-based meat industry leader Beyond Meat has disclosed its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2023, triggering a surge in its stock value. Beyond Meat’s Q4 2023 net revenues were reported at $73.7 million, reflecting a 7.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Despite this decline, the figures exceeded the average analyst estimate of $66.8 million, as compiled by Bloomberg, propelling the company’s stock to a notable upswing. The gross profit for Q4 2023 saw a loss of $83.9 million, mainly due to non-cash charges related to a Global Operations Review report in November, and changes in accounting estimates. The net loss for Q4 2023 amounted to $155.1 million, compared to $66.9 million in the corresponding period last year. …

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VFG group acquires Tofutown

© VFC

VFG’s Strategic Acquisition of TOFUTOWN to Boost Group Revenues Over €100M, Further M&As on Horizon

Vegan Food Group (VFG), the recently rebranded holding company formerly known as VFC Foods Ltd, announces it is on track to becoming one of Europe’s largest plant-based manufacturers with the acquisition of TOFUTOWN, a German producer with revenues of €60 million. Following the group’s revelation of its intentions to create a “vegan Unilever” at the start of this year, VFG’s fourth acquisition, following Clive’s Purely Pies, Meatless Farm, and its chick*n brand VFC, creates a major European CPG company boasting 80 SKUs in the UK and EU across 21,000 distribution points. The combined entity of the four brands is already poised to achieve profitability in 2024, with a clear line of sight for scaling group revenues beyond €100M. This is just the start of VFG’s …

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© Alexandre Bompard

Carrefour Exceeds Target for Sales of Plant-Based Alternatives With €514M Turnover

French multinational supermarket chain Carrefour — one of the world’s largest retailers — has reported that it made €514 million in sales of plant-based alternatives last year, exceeding its target of €500 million by 2026. The plant-based alternatives category includes meat and dairy substitutes, as well as legumes. The latter were recently added to the scope following requests from stakeholders, and accounted for €142 million in sales in 2023. Carrefour has now increased its plant-based sales target to $650 million by 2026. The supermarket chain has also reported that 306 suppliers were part of its Food Transition Pact last year, up from 204 in 2022. The pact helps suppliers to become more sustainable through measures such as boosting biodiversity, offering healthier choices, and removing unnecessary …

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Infinite Roots team

Cathy Hutz (co-founder), Philipp Tigges (CFO), Dr. Mazen Rizk (founder and CEO) and Dr. Thibault Godard (co-founder) © Infinite Roots

Mycelium Tech Infinite Roots Announces Strategic Partnership with Pulmuone

Mycelium tech company Infinite Roots, formerly Mushlabs, announces a strategic partnership with Pulmuone, a leading food manufacturer from South Korea. Together, the companies intend to develop innovative protein products specifically tailored to the needs and taste preferences of the South Korean market. Infinite Roots has developed a patented method to use mycelium in innovative ways for food production. Just last month, the German startup secured $58 million in an oversubscribed Series B round, said to be Europe’s largest-ever investment in mycelium. On the other hand, Pulmuone, known for its tofu products, owns the Nasoya brand, famous for its plant-based steak line Plantspired which is hugely popular domestically as well as in the US, and is catering to the increasing interest in plant-based products in the …

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GreenLeafFoods

©Maple Leaf Foods

Maple Leaf Foods to Merge Meat and Plant Protein Divisions

Maple Leaf Foods, a major Canadian meat and poultry company, announced a restructuring plan today that will merge its meat and plant protein businesses into a single unit. The move aims to simplify operations and drive growth across all protein categories. During a quarterly earnings call on February 12, Curtis Frank, CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, stated, “While there are still some headwinds to navigate in the very near term, the structural health of our business and our long-term growth potential and to create shared value is undeniable,” He further noted the goal of transforming the company into a “brand-led protein powerhouse,” leveraging nearly three decades of industry experience, as reported by WATTPoultry. The company’s plant-based protein portfolio, which includes Lightlife and Field Roast brands, …

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Oato retail launch

© Oato

Oato’s “Category-First” Fresh Oat Milk Expands into Retail, Aiming to Become Biggest Brand in UK Alt Milk Category

Lancashire, England-based Oato is expanding into brick-and-mortar retail through a distribution deal with Booths for its 1L Fresh Barista Whole Oat Drink, with bold ambitions, claiming it is poised to become the leading alt milk in the UK. The oat milk is said to be a category first in that it is not UHT (ultra-high temperature)/shelf-stable, but fresh/refrigerated. “Our latest release is a category first to the dairy alternative category, emphasising local sourcing, convenience, and provenance—qualities that matter to British consumers. Being fresh, not UHT sets us apart,” says Oato, explaining that British consumers have always preferred fresh dairy milk over long-life options, though there are very few available counterparts in plant-based milk. Fresh milk simply tastes better, says Oato, and why should oat be …

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©Future Farm

Fazenda Futuro Announces Product Range Reformulation With Improved Taste and Texture

Brazil’s Fazenda Futuro, known internationally as Future Farm, has announced a strategic product reformulation across its entire range. This initiative aims to elevate the sensory experience of its offerings to more closely mimic the taste and texture of traditional meat in a market where cultural resistance to plant-based diets poses hurdles for brands. Mariana Tunis, the marketing director at Fazenda Futuro, spoke about the critical role of technology in overcoming the challenges faced in the development of the Future Burger 4.0, which the company launched last year. The brand has invested heavily in True Texture Technology, an approach designed to replicate the taste and texture of meat more accurately than in previous formulations. “To bring a richness of flavor, we use True Texture Technology, which works …

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Meati Mushroom chicken burger

© Meati

Meati Foods Appoints Phil Graves CEO Amidst Company Restructuring

Meati Foods, an alternative meat company known for its MushroomRoot protein, announced the appointment of Phil Graves as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the Board. Graves was recently welcomed to the team as the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), but has been quickly transitioned into the CEO position, with co-founder and CEO Tyler Huggins stepping into the role of Chief Innovation Officer. Amidst challenges in the plant-based market, Graves’s experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational optimization aims to help Meati enhance profitability and streamline its operations. As part of this strategic direction, the company is set to reduce its workforce by 13%, a decision aimed at accelerating its path to profitability without impacting its supply chain. “These changes allow …

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