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Selin Arslan © Farmhood

veg+ Interviews

Selin Arslan: “We Transform Food By-Products Into High-Value Plant-Based Protein Ingredients”

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025

As the global food system faces mounting challenges from climate change, resource scarcity, and food waste, innovative startups like Farmhood are stepping up to lead the way toward a more sustainable future. Founded by Selin Arslan, an industrial engineer turned sustainability advocate, Farmhood is a food-tech startup on a mission to tackle food waste through cutting-edge, sustainable innovation. With a background in supply chain consulting at firms like EY and a current MSc. focus in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems, Selin combines technical expertise with a passion for creating lasting impact in the food industry. In this interview, Selin shares Farmhood’s journey from concept to reality, including the development of a pilot production facility and the company’s early success, achieving over €30,000 in revenue. We …

Products & Launches

Minus Coffee Launches Beanless Instant Oat Milk Latte Made With Upcycled Ingredients

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025

US company Minus Coffee has announced the launch of a new beanless coffee alternative, Minus Instant Vanilla Oat Milk Latte. The latte uses upcycled plant-based ingredients such as date seeds and grape seeds to replicate the taste of coffee with a lower impact on the environment. It contains just half the amount of caffeine found in a regular cup of coffee, along with L-theanine to aid alertness and six grams of plant-based protein. An oat milk base provides creaminess without the need for dairy. The coffee alternative is said to provide a gentler energy boost without cortisol spikes or energy crashes. It has been designed by female scientists with the intention of benefiting women’s wellness and cortisol balance. The product is also claimed to generate …

Investments & Acquisitions

ICL Increases Investment in Plantible Foods, Strengthening Partnership on Innovative Protein Ingredients

December 17, 2024

ICL, a global leader in specialty minerals, has announced an additional investment in Plantible Foods as part of the company’s ongoing Series B funding round. This investment builds on ICL’s initial involvement in Plantible’s Series A, further strengthening their strategic collaboration. The follow-up investment is part of ICL’s broader strategy to support the growth of Plantible Foods, a company specializing in plant-based protein technology leveraging Lemna, also known as duckweed. The partnership between the two companies has gained momentum following the launch of Rovitaris Binding Solution in October 2023, an innovative ingredient powered by Rubi Protein, a plant-based protein derived from lemna, which was developed by Plantible. Rovitaris was recently recognized for its innovation at the SupplySide West (SSW) conference in November 2024, where it …

Company News

Lallemand Bio-Ingredients Becomes Exclusive Distributor for Revyve’s Yeast-Based Texturizing Ingredients in North America

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024

Dutch food technology company revyve has entered a strategic partnership with Canada-based Lallemand Bio-Ingredients to distribute its yeast-based food ingredients in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The agreement positions Lallemand as the exclusive distributor for revyve in North America and deepens their collaboration, with revyve sourcing key raw yeast materials directly from Lallemand. Revyve specializes in transforming baker’s yeast into high-performance, animal-free texturizing ingredients for use in food applications such as egg replacements, plant-based products, and allergen-free recipes. These ingredients offer manufacturers solutions for creating textures such as fluffiness, firmness, cohesiveness, and stretchiness. Lallemand, known for its work in fermentation-based solutions including yeast, bacteria, fungi, and enzymes, brings extensive production and market expertise to the partnership. Bob Villeneuve, global sales director for savory at …

Dr Sun, Product Manager of Angel Yeast Europe

Dr Sun, Product Manager © Angel Yeast Europe

Interviews

Angel Yeast: “Innovation in Formulation and Functional Ingredients is Pivotal for Plant-Based Foods”

December 10, 2024December 4, 2024

Angel Yeast a leader in the production of yeast and yeast-related products, specializes in a wide range of applications across various industries. Founded in 1986, Angel Yeast has grown to become one of the largest yeast producers worldwide, with a strong presence in both domestic and international markets. The company is particularly known for its high-quality baker’s yeast, which is used in bread and other bakery products, as well as its fermentation products, such as yeast extract and other flavor-enhancing ingredients. In addition to its core products, Angel Yeast also offers solutions for the plant-based food industry, with yeast-based ingredients being utilized in the production of vegan and plant-based meat alternatives, providing key functional properties such as texture, flavor, and nutritional enhancement. We were pleased …

Company News

Ingredion Releases Significant Consumer Insights: Clean-Label is King, 73% of EU Consumers Seek Natural Ingredients

November 20, 2024

Presently, at Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) 2024, taking place now in Frankfurt, Germany, Ingredion is showcasing its new, significant consumer insights alongside its plant-based food and beverage concepts. In line with Ingredion’s decade-long research into the trend towards clean labels, as published this April, which stated that such products are projected to constitute more than 70% of portfolios within the next two years as part of a significant shift within the European food industry, the company’s latest ATLAS research reveals that clean label claims are now the top factor driving consumer willingness to pay premium prices. The latest findings show that 73% of European consumers are actively seeking products made with recognisable ingredients; health-conscious consumers are increasingly focused on nutritional benefits, with 85% expressing acceptance …

Investments & Finance

Duckweed Protein Developer Plantible Raises $30M to Scale Operations Amid ‘Insatiable’ Demand for Functional Ingredients

November 18, 2024

San Diego-based Plantible Foods, a vertically integrated startup extracting the protein RuBisCo from the leafy green aquatic plant called lemna (duckweed), has raised $30 million in a Series B funding round co-led by Piva Capital and Siddhi Capital. New investors, including Betagro Ventures, Cultivate Next (Chipotle Mexican Grill’s venture arm), and Nourish Ventures (from Griffith Foods), backed the startup and existing investor Astanor Ventures. With the new capital, Plantible will expand its manufacturing operations to meet the “insatiable” demand for its sustainable and highly functional proteins for use in plant-based alternatives, baked goods, gluten-free products, pasta, and other applications. Founder and CEO Tony Martens Fekini commented, “This funding will enable us to significantly expand our manufacturing capabilities and meet the rapidly growing demand for our …

Fairs & Events

Concepta Ingredients to Present Premium Proteins Derived From Sesame at PBWE Europe

November 13, 2024

Brazil’s Concepta Ingredients, a division of Grupo Sabará specializing in natural food and beverage solutions, has announced its attendance at this year’s Plant Based World Expo Europe. Taking place in London today (November 13) and tomorrow, PBWE Europe brings together numerous important players in the plant-based industry, including retailers, service professionals, and investors. At this year’s event, Concepta Ingredients will showcase its Arboreto Premium Protein range. One of the highlights of the range is PRO 1000G, a protein asset derived from the extraction process of sesame oil. The product is said to be rich in protein, fiber, and calcium, and a source of essential amino acids. The range also includes PRO 1000GB, which combines sesame with the Amazonian ingredient babaçu. According to Concepta Ingredients, the …

PoLoPo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CSM Ingredients to develop egg protein powder for baking applications.

Company News

PoLoPo and CSM Ingredients Partner to Develop Price-Stable Egg Protein Powder for the Baking Industry

October 31, 2024

PoLoPo, a molecular farming startup that grows proteins in potatoes, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the global ingredient-tech company CSM Ingredients to develop egg protein powder for baking applications. Commercial baking uses ovalbumin, the main protein in egg whites, extensively in many products, from croissants to donuts. However, constant avian flu outbreaks are disrupting egg production and the supply chain, leading to rising egg prices and instability. The collaboration aims to provide an affordable, price-stable, and more sustainable alternative to traditional egg protein. Christian Sobolta, CSM Ingredients Group Managing Director, shared, “The global market for ovalbumin powder is projected to reach $36 billion by 2032, and PoLoPo presents an opportunity to change the dynamics of this category in a way that benefits both the planet …

Ingredients

Revyve Secures First Overseas Distribution Agreement With the UK’s Daymer Ingredients

October 30, 2024October 30, 2024

Dutch food tech company revyve has partnered with Daymer Ingredients to bring its natural, sustainable texturising ingredients to the UK. The partnership marks revyve’s first overseas distribution agreement, and will make the company’s yeast-based egg replacement ingredients available to British food and beverage manufacturers. It is part of a commitment by Daymer to bring a wider variety of high-performance, natural, and sustainable ingredients to the UK market. Revyve’s clean-label ingredients are made using a patented technology that micro-mills yeast, separating out the valuable proteins and fibres. The resulting products are said to offer exceptional functional properties such as heat-set gelling, binding, and emulsification. “The UK is a sophisticated food market with a diverse population of varying nutritional needs,” said James Brace, Managing Director of Daymer …

Market & Trends

Whole Foods Identifies Plant-Based Aquatic Ingredients as a Major Growth Trend for 2025

October 17, 2024

Whole Foods Market has released its annual forecast for 2025 food and beverage trends, with the retailer’s Trends Council identifying plant-based aquatic ingredients as a notable area of growth. The council, comprised of over 50 team members from Whole Foods—including buyers, foragers, and culinary experts—has been tracking consumer preferences for a decade. This year’s report reveals how new categories like seaweed-based ingredients are shaping the future of food innovation. Ambassador of Food Culture for Whole Foods Market, Cathy Strange, stated, “From important food movements around animal welfare, climate, and transparency to the evolving tastes and preferences of consumers, trends in food end up driving our dinner table conversations for years to come and help spark some of the best ideas and solutions for the future.” …

Image courtesy of BioMush

Fermentation

BioMush Unveils Plug-and-Play Fermentation Tech to Turn Industry Sidestreams into Umami Ingredients

October 7, 2024

Finnish food tech company BioMush has developed solid-state fermentation technology using fungi to transform edible side streams and food waste into umami-flavored ingredients. The innovation targets food industry operators to help them address industrial waste while creating natural, clean-label flavoring solutions for plant-based foods. Outi Mäkinen, Tytti-Lotta Ojala, and Reetta Andolin founded BioMush in 2021 in Espoo. Under the leadership of CEO Kaisa Karhunen, the startup has raised $3.08 million to address the 14% of global food industry side streams wasted annually. The Finnish startup unveiled its first demo-scale bioreactor at the Future Food-Tech event in London. Karhunen shared in the announcement, “Our primary clients are food manufacturers that have both usable by-products and a need for flavor products. To our knowledge, we are the first and …

Ingredients

Mathilde Do Chi, Expert on Food Law, Part 6: Innovative Food Ingredients & the Law

October 10, 2024October 4, 2024

Mathilde Do Chi is the CEO of Forward Food Law, a food law and regulatory consultancy in global alternative protein regulations. She is an international food law and regulatory consultant with expertise in alternative proteins, novel foods, the future of food, and much more. A frequent public speaker at numerous food and foodtech conferences, Mathilde helps VCs, startups and multinationals comprehend complex food regulations, assisting the likes of Blue Horizon, Planted, and Formo with their legal matters. In this sixth installment of her special series, Mathilde discusses the challenges companies face when demonstrating the safety of novel foods since existing standardized testing methods may not fully capture their complexity. Demonstrating the safety of innovative food ingredients Necessary to improve our global food system, innovative food …

San Francisco-based The EVERY Co. has been granted a new patent (US 12/096,784 ) covering the scope and use of its precision fermentation-derived ovalbumin.

Company News

The EVERY Company Secures Patent for Fermented Ovalbumin — the Key Protein Behind its Animal-Free Ingredients

October 3, 2024

San Francisco-based The Every Company has been granted a new patent (US 12/096,784 ) covering the scope and use of its precision fermentation-derived ovalbumin. The scope of the patent includes wild-type ovalbumin variants with performance enhancements and extends to ovalbumin sourced from various avian species, produced using yeast and fungal strains like Pichia, Trichoderma, Saccharomyces, and Aspergillus. The patent covers the use of the novel protein in a wide range of food formulations if combined with at least one additional consumable ingredient (flour, sugar, fats). It spans diverse product formats, such as baked goods, meat, meat analogs, ready-to-eat egg products, whipped cream, ice cream, meringues, and more. It also addresses functional applications, including hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness, and foam stability in both liquid and powder forms. Co-founder …

Supplied by Jasmine Uchi

Opinion

Op Ed: Jasmine Uchi of VeganMed – Hidden Animal Ingredients in Medicine Put Patients at Risk

September 19, 2024

Dr. Jasmine Uchi, is the Director of Medical Affairs and Operations at VeganMed, Inc. and an adjunct professor at the University of the Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. Often referred to as the “alpha-gal pharmacist,” Dr. Uchi is recognized for her expertise in addressing Alpha-gal Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening allergy. She has made significant contributions to patient safety and health equity through her published research, which has gained attention across multiple media platforms. Additionally, Dr. Uchi is a registered pharmacist and a TEDx speaker, passionately advocating for ingredient transparency in medicine to promote safer and more inclusive healthcare practices. In this article, she discusses the critical need for transparency regarding animal-derived ingredients in medications. The Hidden Ingredients in Our Medications: Why Pharma Must …

Business Wire

$21.79 Bn Vegan Cosmetics and Personal Care Ingredients Markets with L’Oreal, Lush Retail, Pacifica Beauty, and CoverFX Dominating – Global and Regional Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2034 – ResearchAndMarkets.com

September 16, 2024September 16, 2024

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The “Vegan Cosmetics and Personal Care Ingredients Market – A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on End-use, Product, Ingredients, Packaging, Price Point, Distribution Channel and Region – Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2034” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The vegan cosmetics and personal care ingredients market is valued at $10.92 billion in 2024, is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.15%, reaching $21.79 billion by 2034. The vegan cosmetics and personal care ingredients market is rapidly emerging as a vital sector addressing the growing demand for ethical and sustainable beauty products, gaining traction across various global markets. As consumers become more conscious of the environmental and ethical implications of their choices, vegan cosmetics offer a cruelty-free and eco-friendly alternative, ensuring products are free …

Products & Launches

Vivera Launches Plant-Based Protein Bites Made From Whole Food Ingredients

September 12, 2024

Dutch meat alternatives producer Vivera has announced the launch of a new product, Protein Bites, made from vegetables, grains, and legumes. Three varieties of the product are available — TexMex, Thai, and Green. All the varieties have the highest possible Nutriscore of A and are rich in protein and fibre. The Protein Bites are inspired by research indicating that many flexitarians prefer to eat legumes, nuts, and seeds rather than meat alternatives. Despite this, a large proportion of plant-based companies are focused on developing products that mimic the taste and texture of meat. With the new launch, Vivera aims to offer a protein-rich option that emphasises plant-based ingredients. The new products are said to be suitable for several applications, including as a salad topping, wrap …

Ingredients

Plant-Ex Ingredients Secures £9M Investment to Drive International Expansion

September 11, 2024

Plant-Ex Ingredients, a UK producer of natural plant-derived flavours, colours, and extracts, has secured £9 million in funding from major investor BGF. The minority investment will help Plant-Ex to expand internationally, with a focus on the US market. The company established a division in Chicago earlier this year, and also has sites in Poland and Turkey. Within the last month, Plant-Ex has opened a new facility in Bristol with twice the capacity of its previous site; this should allow for further growth within the UK and internationally. The company’s products are already available in over 50 countries worldwide. Plant-Ex has also announced the appointment of Susan Barratt as non-executive chair. Barrett is highly experienced in the food and consumer goods industry, having previously held roles …

Ingredients

Nandi Proteins Secures £500,000 for Egg White Replacer for “Undesirable Ingredients”

September 6, 2024August 30, 2024

Food science innovator Nandi Proteins has secured over £500,000 in funding through a convertible loan from investors including Nesta, the UK’s social innovation agency, and Scottish Enterprise. The new capital will support the development of the company’s egg white replacer for gluten-free bakery and mycoprotein alternatives, which has attracted “strong interest” from manufacturers. Nesta Impact Investments (NII), Nesta’s investment arm, has pledged to support an upcoming equity raise with an additional £1 million to complete the target of £1.5 million. The VC Frontier IP holds a 19.7% equity stake in Nandi Proteins. CEO David Flower shared, “We are delighted with this funding from Nesta and Scottish Enterprise and Nesta’s commitment to invest in our equity raise. It provides further validation for our innovative food ingredient …

The vegconomist-newsletterinformation for decision-makers

The vegconomist-newsletter
information for decision-makers