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©ProteinDistillery

Political Figures and Celebs Celebrate ProteinDistillery’s Upcoming Facility, Set to Produce Upcycled Protein at Large Scale

November 27, 2024

German food tech innovator ProteinDistillery recently broke ground at its new Protein Competence Centre set to open by Q2 2025, with the event attended by Germany’s Agriculture and Education Minister Cem Özdemir, known for his outspokenness on vegetarianism and environmentalism, Member of Germany’s Green Party Zoe Mayer, and former goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand, owner of the vegan restaurant vhy. The Protein Competence Centre will serve as a centre for research, development and production of pioneering plant-based proteins and promote collaboration between science and industry and will enable large-scale production of Prew:tein®, a sustainable, animal-free protein derived from brewer’s yeast, a beer industry by-product. Prew:tein® offers functional properties like emulsification and gel formation, rivalling animal proteins without additives. The Heilbronn facility will produce up to 200 tonnes …

DSM-Firmenich will introduce Vertis CanolaPRO and showcase plant-based smoked salmon with cream cheese, pulled beef, and longer-shelf-life yogurt at Fi Europe 2024 from November 19 to 21 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Fairs & Events

DSM-Firmenich to Showcase Upcycled Protein Isolate in Plant-Based Salmon, Pulled Pork, and Yogurt at Fi Europe 2024

October 29, 2024October 25, 2024

DSM-Firmenich will introduce its upcycled protein isolate Vertis CanolaPRO and showcase its latest plant-based prototypes — smoked salmon with cream cheese, pulled beef, and longer-shelf-life yogurt — at Fi Europe 2024 from November 19 to 21 in Frankfurt, Germany. Vertis CanolaPRO is made from canola meal, a co-product of canola oil production, one of the world’s most plentiful crops. The ingredient is produced using a proprietary process with minimal water use, low temperatures, and zero solvents. Allergen-free, the protein isolate is said to deliver all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source. It serves as a functional ingredient, enhancing the texture of plant-based meat, seafood, and dairy and the nutrition of sports bars and beverages. DSM-Firmenich will showcase Vertis CanolaPRO protein in other applications, such as …

Image courtesy of Arda Biomaterials

Leather Alternatives

Animal-Free Snakeskin Handbag Marks Debut from Upcycled Arda Biomaterials & BEEN London in a Benchmark for Fashion

July 17, 2024

UK upcycled materials startup Arda Biomaterials and sustainable brand BEEN London announce the launch of their first product: a snakeskin-type handbag crafted with an animal- and plastic-free leather-like material called New Grain. Arda’s New Grain, described as an extraordinary next-generation material, is developed from spent grain from breweries, sourced locally from London’s Bermondsey Beer Mile — once a leather tanning district. This launch marks New Grain’s first use of an external product, paving the way for its commercial scalability. The handbag, a version of BEEN’s bestselling MILLAIS bag, will be part of a future collection that includes wallets, laptop cases, and more bag styles. Genia Mineeva, the founder of BEEN London, emphasised the partnership’s role in pioneering sustainable fashion. She added, “As a brand making premium …

Fatima Zoundri, image supplied

Opinion

Op Ed: Fatima Zoundri of dsm-firmenich, Upcycled Ingredients Will Play a Crucial Role in Shaping a Sustainable Future

July 11, 2024

dsm-firmenich, created through a 2022 merger of DSM and Firmenich, offers nutrition, health, and beauty solutions. Director of Sustainability, Taste, Texture and Health, Fatima Zoundri, believes that the protein transition is a great thing for society, and says the challenge for manufacturers is to create products with the right sensory qualities and are produced as sustainably as possible. A key way to achieve this is via upcycled ingredients. “I received my very own ‘wake-up call’ several years ago having worked a decade in operations at dsm-firmenich. One morning I literally woke up and realized that as one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, we are in a unique position to turn this negative story into a positive – and change the way our society produces, …

Fabumin has developed a functional and multipurpose egg replacer for the food industry from legume "wastewater" or aquafaba that can be produced at industrial scale.

Egg Alternatives

Fabumin Attracts Attention from Grupo Bimbo and Haagen Dazs for its Unique Upcycled Aquafaba in Powder Form

July 3, 2024July 2, 2024

Israel’s Fabumin has developed a functional and multipurpose egg replacer for the food industry by upcycling legume water waste, otherwise known as aquafaba, an ingredient known for its unique emulsifying, foaming, and thickening properties similar to egg albumin. The startup has reportedly attracted interest from food companies such as Grupo Bimbo and Haagen Dazs for its product. What sets Fabumin apart from other aquafaba egg replacers is that its product — a powder offering significant advantages over liquid options that require refrigeration — is made at legume processing factories by upcycling their side streams, allowing a large-scale production. “Every day, the legume industry produces a considerable amount of waste water that is poured into the drain. The result is a heavy load on the wastewater …

Fooditive Group unveils a new sustainable alternative to sugar for the US market: Keto-Fructose, a plant-based sweetener derived from upcycled apple and pear byproducts through fermentation.

Fermentation

Fooditive Unveils Guilt-Free Sweetener Made With Upcycled Apples & Pears for US Market

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024

Dutch plant-based ingredient manufacturer Fooditive Group unveils a new sustainable alternative to sugar for the US market: Keto-Fructose, a low calorie sweetener derived from upcycled apples and pears through fermentation. Fooditive claims that its new sweetener closely mimics the flavor profile of sugar, offering “extraordinary” sweetness, unparalleled taste, functionality, and sustainability, establishing a new standard for sugar alternatives. Keto-Fructose is currently undergoing FDA GRAS assessment. The company states it aims to significantly impact the industry with a sugar alternative capable of delivering the sweet taste that consumers love. Moayad Abushokhedim, CEO of Fooditive, comments, “Fooditive understands the challenges associated with replacing sugar, and we recognize that the effectiveness of a sugar alternative is not solely measured by taste. “This is why our Keto-Fructose sweetener goes beyond …

Ingredients

Apparo and Döhler Partner to Break Ground with Upcycled Ingredients for the F&B Market

June 7, 2024

Minnesota-based plant-based ingredients company Apparo Inc. has entered a joint development agreement with global provider of natural ingredients and solutions Döhler to formulate upcycled ingredients for the F&B market. Döhler, recognizing the growing consumer interest in healthy and sustainable products, is exploring the use of Apparo’s “Total Crop Utilization” system, to add sustainable ingredients that contribute to the circular economy to its toolbox of solutions for plant-based products. Leveraging further innovations in protein, Döhler and US biotech Superbrewed Food recently partnered to scale the production of a postbiotic protein ingredient. They plan to launch it in the US this year in healthy, high-quality products. Apparo CEO Ian Mackay expressed his excitement about partnering with Döhler, indicating that he anticipates the partnership will lead to the creation of …

Beyond Leather Materials partners with Veshin

Leather Alternatives

Beyond Leather Materials & Veshin Factory Collaborate to ‘Redefine the Material Landscape’ with Upcycled Apple Waste

June 6, 2024June 6, 2024

Beyond Leather Materials, a Danish scale-up producing an alternative to animal leather, has announced a partnership with the sustainably progressive design and manufacturing facility Veshin. Using apple waste from European juice and cider production, Beyond Leather Materials produces an 89% bio-based leather alternative called Leap. Through the new partnership, the two companies will use the material to create products for various markets, including the fashion, home, and furniture sectors. The collaboration will allow brands worldwide to easily source and manufacture products made with Leap. Veshin Factory has been chosen due to its focus on next-gen alternatives to animal-derived materials, along with its commitment to ethical practices and transparency. The facility specializes in luxury bags and accessories made with materials that prioritize the well-being of animals, …

Market & Trends

Upcycled Ingredients Market to Rapidly Gain Traction as Consumers Demand Solutions to Food Waste

May 24, 2024May 24, 2024

According to a report by FACT.MR, the global upcycled ingredients market will grow with a CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period 2022-2032, reaching a valuation of $512 million. Currently, a significant proportion of the food produced worldwide is wasted, which has a harmful impact on the environment. As consumer awareness of food waste increases, a growing number of companies are attempting to solve the issue by upcycling ingredients that would otherwise be discarded. However, the industry has faced some challenges, such as a lack of oversight when sourcing upcycled ingredients. Additionally, the nutrients in some upcycled foods may not be readily available. Some companies are addressing this by developing methods to extract nutrients from byproducts usually regarded as waste; for example, Austria’s Kern Tec …

Leather Alternatives

Beyond Leather Materials Launches Full-Scale Production of Alt Leather from Upcycled Apple Waste

May 13, 2024

Danish startup Beyond Leather Materials, a producer and supplier of Leap — an innovative alternative to traditional leather — announces a significant commercialization milestone: transitioning from R&D to a fully operational B2B supplier, ready to offer its innovative material to various industries. Leap, which stands for “LEftover APples,” utilizes waste from European juice and cider producers to create a biobased material of which every square meter prevents approximately 1.8kg of apple pulp from ending up in landfills. Now, Beyond Leather Materials has launched its first full-scale production line in Germany, marking a significant milestone in revolutionizing the industry through the innovative use of apple waste. Mikael Eydt, CEO and co-founder of Beyond Leather Materials, shares: “More than 6 years of product development and intensive R&D have …

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Migros Launches Upcycled Meat Alternatives Made From Spent Brewer’s Grain

April 23, 2024April 23, 2024

Swiss supermarket chain Migros has partnered with Circular Food Solutions to launch a new range of upcycled meat alternatives. The products are made from spent brewer’s grains, a byproduct of the barley used in beer production. The grains, rich in nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and fibre, are combined with Swiss-grown peas and wheat to produce the meat alternatives. There are currently three products in the range: burgers, mince, and marinated pieces. The meat alternatives have been developed using Circular Food Solutions’ technology, which aims to help companies take advantage of the growing demand for plant-based foods while making better use of resources. The technology is said to produce alt meats with “a unique fiber texture, taste, and elasticity”. The new products are part of …

Berger-Schinken, a German firm with over 130 years of history in ham and sausage processing, and the Austrian upcycling and food tech company Kern Tech have partnered to launch a 100% cheese plant-based sausages.

Products & Launches

Ham Producer Berger-Schinken & Upcycled Fruit Pit Startup Kern Tec Unveil Plant-Based Cheese Sausages

April 22, 2024

Berger-Schinken, a German firm with over 130 years of history in ham and sausage processing, and Austrian upcycling and food tech company Kern Tec, have launched a co-branded product: plant-based cheese sausages. The new vegan sausages are crafted from pea protein and feature Kern Tec’s most recent development — Berg-Gaudi — a plant-based cheese made from upcycled fruit pits. This first-of-its-kind cheese launched in various flavors last year under Kern Tec’s brand Wunderkern, joining a range of no-milk drinks made with apricot kernels that became the most-sold product at vegan superstore BILLA Pflanzilla a few months later. Wunderkern also offers oils and chocolate spreads from waste seeds from the juice and jam industries. The plant-based cheese sausages are gluten-free, lactose-free, certified vegan, and are available just in time for …

Beverages

Atomo Coffee Expands Upcycled, Beanless Coffee Availability Through Bluestone Lane Partnership

April 19, 2024

Seattle-based Atomo Coffee, which produces a beanless coffee alternative, has partnered with specialty coffee chain Bluestone Lane to distribute its espresso across all 58 of the chain’s locations in the United States. This new development marks a significant market expansion for Atomo, whose products were previously available exclusively at Gumption Coffee near Times Square in New York City. Atomo’s beanless coffee utilizes upcycled ingredients such as date pits, chicory root, and grape skin to replicate the molecular structure of traditional coffee. This method reportedly uses 94% less water and generates 93% fewer carbon emissions than conventional coffee production. Additionally, Atomo Coffee offers health benefits, including high antioxidant content and lower acidity. Ed Hoehn, Atomo’s chief operating officer, expressed the company’s approach to its distribution strategy …

ProteinDistillery announces a partnership with the machine manufacturer NETZSCH to advance the purification processes of Prew:tein.

Company News

ProteinDistillery and NETZSCH Partner to Advance Egg-Like Prew:tein from Upcycled Brewer’s Yeast

April 19, 2024

The German biotech ProteinDistillery announces a partnership with the machine manufacturer NETZSCH to advance the purification process of Prew:tein — a biomass fermentation-derived protein that delivers functionality akin to egg whites. ProteinDistillery recently secured €15 million to build an industrial-scale production facility in southern Germany. Claimed as Europe’s first protein-competence center, the plant will be able to produce tons of the vegan protein crafted from upcycled brewer’s yeast. NETZSCH will supply essential machinery to isolate Prew:tein from the biomass — a process essential to achieve a final product — and will also engage in co-development efforts. According to the startup, the collaboration between the machine engineers and its team will also result in cutting-edge purification methods, driving innovation in the industry. “This strategic partnership will not only …

Ingredients

Israel’s Day 8 Secures Funds for Leaf Protein-Based Ingredient Extracted from Upcycled Crops

February 22, 2024

Israeli startup Day 8 has secured $750,000 pre-seed funding from The Kitchen FoodTech Hub to introduce a functional ingredient made from the leaf protein Rubisco for plant-based dairy, meat, and other food applications. The young startup was founded last year by Daniel Rejzner (CEO) and a former executive at Solbar (a leading soy manufacturer) Dana Marom (CTO) to unlock the future of delicious plant-based foods with earth’s most abundant and nutritious protein, Rubisco. All green leaves, from spinach to kale to the small Lemna (duckweed), contain small quantities of Rubisco. Day 8 claims that it has developed a unique extraction method to produce a flavorless white powder that contains the best nutritional qualities of Rubisco and its functional capabilities, such as emulsifying, foaming, and gelling, which surpass the capabilities …

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Prefer Raises $2M for Bean-Free Coffee Made With Upcycled Ingredients & Fermentation

February 22, 2024February 22, 2024

Singapore-based startup Prefer has raised $2 million to scale up the production of its bean-free coffee. The round was led by Forge Ventures, with participation from Better Bite Ventures, Sopoong Ventures, SEEDS Capital, Entrepreneur First, and Pickup Coffee. Prefer’s coffee alternative is made by using microbes to ferment upcycled ingredients such as waste bread, soy milk pulp, and spent brewer’s grain. The resulting mixture is then roasted and ground, using a proprietary process that provides a similar taste and aroma to conventional coffee. Sustainable and affordable The aim is offer a more sustainable alternative to coffee, which has a high carbon footprint and is heavily affected by climate change. Changing weather patterns and increased demand are expected to drive up coffee prices in the coming …

Cheese Alternatives

Seeductive Foods: Redefining Dairy Alternatives with Regenerative Hemp and Upcycled Seeds

December 15, 2023December 14, 2023

Seeductive Foods, an alternative cheese company based in Jacksonville, Florida, is redefining dairy alternatives with its sustainable and clean-label vegan cheeses made from regenerative hemp and upcycled pumpkin seeds. Founded in 2019 by former food industry professional Meghan Barbera, Seeductive Foods has grown from its humble beginnings at a local farmers’ market to shipping thousands of orders across the United States. Barbera’s journey began after a transformative trip to India, which led her to embrace veganism. Her craving for a dairy-free cheese alternative inspired the creation of Seeductive Foods, leveraging her Culinary Science degree and corporate food production experience, including her time working at Campbell’s Soup Company. Seeductive Foods was created with a mission to reimagine the alternative dairy space with a plant-based option that …

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Smallhold Launches “World’s First” Upcycled Mushroom Pesto

December 14, 2023

US-based organic mushroom producer Smallhold has launched what it claims is the world’s first mushroom pesto. The vegan-friendly pesto is made by dehydrating surplus or imperfect organic mushrooms that would otherwise go to waste. The mushrooms — which include blue oysters, trumpets, and shiitake — are then ground and cooked down with roasted onion and garlic, balsamic vinegar, spices, and oil. Like traditional pesto, the resulting sauce can be used in sandwiches, pasta dishes, dressings, and more. It is currently available at various independent retailers in New York City, Los Angeles, and Austin, Texas. “Something brand new” Smallhold uses cutting-edge technology to grow mushrooms in both urban and rural spaces. The company has farms in Brooklyn, New York, Austin, Texas, and LA. Smallhold also operates …

Ingredients

The Spare Food Co. Debuts Spare Starter Made From Upcycled Farm Produce

December 13, 2023

The Spare Food Co., a company dedicated to tackling food waste through upcycling, has launched its latest product, Spare Starter, a versatile plant-based ingredient blend with a range of applications. Spare Starter can partially substitute animal protein in dishes like burgers and meatballs, aligning with the growing trend of plant-forward diets. Spare Starter uses surplus farm produce to turn quality, edible produce that often goes unused into a valuable culinary ingredient. Comprising six vegetables and a proprietary spice blend, it utilizes parts of vegetables that are typically discarded in the food production process. Following the success of its fermented whey beverage, Spare Tonic, the company’s latest product development and potential was recognized early by leading college food service provider, Harvest Table Culinary Group. In response, …

Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

EXCLUSIVE: Dairy Company Bauer & Kern Tec Launch ZUM GLÜCK! Alt Dairy Range Using Upcycled Apricot Kernels

November 10, 2023November 10, 2023

German dairy group Bauer, founded in 1887, one of the leading dairy companies in Germany with a turnover of more than €600 million, announces to vegconomist it has partnered with Austria’s Kern Tec for the development of a range of dairy alternative products under the newly formed “ZUM GLÜCK!” brand, with an innovative flavour based on apricot kernels – an upcycled product from fruit cultivation. ZUM GLÜCK! (translating as “fortunately” or “luckily”) will launch in January 2024, offering a comprehensive range of plant-based indulgence products exclusively on the German market. “We are looking forward to launching our new plant-based Bauer brand “ZUM GLÜCK!”. With “ZUM GLÜCK!”, we are exclusively offering a top plant-based range with an innovative flavour based on upcycled apricot kernels. To this …

The vegconomist-newsletterinformation for decision-makers

The vegconomist-newsletter
information for decision-makers