Company News

South Korea's TissenBioFarm announces it has won the "Cultured Meat Product of the Year" in the 2024 AgTech Breakthrough Awards.

© TissenBioFarm

Marbled Cultivated Meat by TissenBioFarm Wins AgTech Breakthrough Award

South Korea’s TissenBioFarm announces it has won the “Cultured Meat Product of the Year” in the 2024 AgTech Breakthrough Awards. The cultivated meat startup says that the award recognizes the impact of its low-cost, scalable technologies for producing cultivated meat. AgTech Breakthrough is a market intelligence organization that acknowledges top companies, technologies, and products in the agricultural and food industry. Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director of AgTech Breakthrough, shared, “TissenBioFarm is creating a future where people, the environment, and animals are safe. This era of agriculture and food technology marks the next major period of sustainable future foods, but the low scalability and high costs of producing cultivated meat have caused a gap in the industry. The solution lies within sustainable and scalable technologies used for production.” …

more

Organisations and brands:

Armored Fresh Melty Vegan Cheeses

© Armored Fresh

Armored Fresh Files Patent for Plant-Based Grated Cheese, Vegan Parmesan Arriving This Fall

Zero-dairy food tech company Armored Fresh, known for its fermented almond and oat-based cheeses, continues to innovate in manufacturing to create products that rival the taste and texture of traditional dairy cheese. The South Korean company operating in the US announces that it has filed a new patent for a technology that mimics the process of grating traditional hard-aged cheese. Instead of using the standard spray-drying process for grated plant-based cheese, which involves a liquid mixture that is then atomized into particles, the food tech company creates cheese blocks and physically grates them. This method achieves a more authentic taste and texture, explains the company. Rudy Yoo, founder and CEO of Armored Fresh, shares, “With this patented process, Armored Fresh will continue to prove that …

more

Organisations and brands:

Beyond Meat headquarters in El Segundo, California

Beyond Meat headquarters in El Segundo, California ©JHVEPhoto-stock.adobe.com

Beyond Meat Unveils Plans to Launch a Mycelium Steak Alternative

Beyond Meat has plans to launch a mycelium-based whole-cut steak alternative, responding to growing consumer demand for clean-label alternatives, reports CNBC. President and CEO Ethan Brown said that the new filet would roll out in a healthy restaurant chain instead of McDonald’s, Dunkin’, or KFC; however, he did not give a launch date. “The focus on this has been a very small number of ingredients, very high protein, and very low saturated fat,” Brown told CNBC. Mycoprotein for realistic alternatives Mycoprotein, an ingredient derived from mycelium made with fermentation technologies, is becoming a popular in meat alternatives due to its muscle-like texture, adaptable mild flavor, low saturated fat content, and nutritional profile rich in essential amino acids, fiber, iron, zinc, and potassium. Companies using mycoprotein …

more

Organisations and brands:

21st.BIO's team

© 21st.BIO

21st.BIO’s Precision Fermented Whey for Animal-Free Dairy Obtains US GRAS Status

Danish fermentation upscaling partner 21st.BIO announces that it has earned self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its precision fermented beta-lactoglobulin, BLG Essential+. The GRAS milestone assures that 21st. BIO’s animal-free whey is safe for human consumption, allowing its commercialization within US territory. According to the biotech company, beta-lactoglobulin, the predominant protein in milk’s whey, has garnered significant interest from producers due to its high nutritional quality and beneficial properties for food product formulation. BLG Essential+ is said to boast essential and branched-chain amino acids, offering 45% more leucine than commercially available whey protein isolates. In addition, it is tasteless, pH-stable, and heat-tolerant, making it easy to incorporate into foods, from alt-dairy to protein drinks to bakery products. Precision-fermented whey for protein suppliers Founded in …

more

Organisations and brands:

The World’s Most Sustainable Protein ‘Solein’ Achieves GRAS Status, Heads for US Debut

Solar Foods announces that it has achieved self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its air-based protein Solein in the USA. This milestone will allow the company to introduce the novel ingredient, offering a new alternative to animal and plant proteins. Claimed as the most sustainable protein in the world, the company expects its debut by the end of 2024. The biotech explains that it conducted large-scale scientific research, and the results about food safety have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. A panel of qualified experts has stated the product’s safety and intended use, explicitly detailing its application across various food categories and appropriate Solein concentrations. Juan Benitez-Garcia, Solar Foods’ CCO, comments, “Obtaining self-affirmed GRAS status is the first step towards entering the …

more

Organisations and brands:

Molecular farming startup PoLoPo announces that it will start supplying one of its flagship proteins, patatin, for F&B products to commercial clients, pending USDA's regulatory approval.

© PoLoPo

Unexpected Demand for Affordable Patatin Pushes Molecular Farming Startup PoLoPo to Prioritize Product Launch

Molecular farming startup PoLoPo announces that it will start supplying one of its flagship proteins, patatin, for F&B products to commercial clients, pending the USDA’s regulatory approval. The Israeli startup has developed a platform to grow the egg protein ovalbumin, widely used in the food industry, and patatin in large volumes in potato tubers, securing a lower cost. As explained by the startup, patatin, the native protein of potatoes, is expected to have a relatively straightforward regulatory process. Despite being derived from genetically engineered plants, it is extracted and processed into a powder that contains no genetic material, making it non-GMO. CEO and co-founder Maya Sapir-Mir comments, “We are keeping our eyes on the prize, which is bringing molecular-farmed egg protein to market, but conversations …

more

Organisations and brands:

mycorena whole cut

© Mycorena

Mycorena Acquired by Biomass Fermentation Firm Naplasol, Member of Animal Protein VEOS Group

After facing significant financial challenges, mycoprotein pioneer Mycorena filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, seeking new ownership to build upon its innovations and market presence. Today, Naplasol, a VEOS group member, announces the acquisition of the Swedish company. Naplasol specializes in biomass fermentation to produce mycoproteins and offers various ingredients for food applications. VEOS Group, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Belgium, is a global leader in the animal protein market with production facilities worldwide. It serves the food, pet, and feed industries and is supported by a global sales network. According to the announcement, Naplasol plans to produce Mycorena’s flagship product, Promyc, at its industrial facility in Bree, Belgium, to enhance its portfolio and offer new sustainable proteins. Wim Slee, co-CEO of VEOS Group, …

more

Organisations and brands:

Solar Foods plans to list on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland.

© Solar Foods

Solar Foods to List on Nasdaq, Bolstering Growth Plans for ‘Solein’ Air-Based Protein

Air-based protein developer Solar Foods announces plans to list on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. The listing is expected to occur in September as a technical listing without any share issue or sale. Based in Helsinki, the biotech has raised €69.6 million from various investors, including Fazer, Lifeline Ventures, Agronomics, CPT Capital, Voima Ventures, and various family office investment companies. According to the company, its more than 2,000 shareholders enable it to process the technical listing. In addition to private investments, Solar Foods has strong public financial support, securing €34 million from a potential €110 million grant. And this year, the company was granted the Nasdaq Green Equity Designation, making it the first Finnish private company to receive this recognition. Nasdaq Green Equity recognizes …

more

Organisations and brands:

Superbrewed Food

© Superbrewed Food

Superbrewed Food’s Strategic Partnership with Dairy Group Fonterra Explores Uses of Biomass Protein

New Zealand-based multinational dairy cooperative Fonterra and US fermentation startup Superbrewed Food have entered into a strategic partnership to explore applications and further develop Superbrewed’s biomass protein platform. Leveraging Superbrewed’s Postbiotic Cultured Protein, a non-GMO, allergen-free bacterial biomass protein, which recently received FDA approval for the US market, the partnership aims to address growing demand for “sustainable” dairy, and will also explore applications for precision-fermented derived animal-free dairy, as well as plant-based ingredients. Worth noting in this context is that Fonterra, along with DSM-Firmenich, was instrumental in the 2023 seed round for Dutch precision fermentation company Vivici, which this February announced the commercial launch of its nature-identical whey protein. Bryan Tracy, CEO of Superbrewed Food, states: “We are pleased to partner with a Fonterra format …

more

Organisations and brands:

Upside Foods, Florida You've Been Served

© Upside Foods

Institute for Justice and UPSIDE Foods File Lawsuit Against State of Florida

In partnership with the cultivated chicken company UPSIDE Foods, the Institute for Justice (IJ) has filed a lawsuit against the Florida law banning cultivated meat. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill prohibiting the production, distribution, and sale of cultivated meat in the Sunshine State on May 1, 2024, and it went into effect on July 1. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida, argues that the ban on cultivated meat violates Constitutional provisions against protectionist measures “designed to favor in-state businesses at the expense of out-of-state competitors,” IJ stated. Here you can view a video created by IJ discussing the firm’s National Food Freedom initiative. The video features attorney Paul Sherman and Upside CEO Uma Valeti speaking on …

more

Organisations and brands:

Impossible Foods Impossible Quality Meats

© Impossible Foods

Impossible Foods Debuts First In-Person Foodservice Concept at XMarket in Chicago

Impossible Foods has announced the launch of its first foodservice industry concept, Impossible Quality Meats. The pop-up restaurant, located in the XMarket Food Hall in Uptown Chicago, will officially open on Tuesday, August 13, offering a range of plant-based dishes made from Impossible’s meat alternatives.  The Impossible Quality Meats menu will feature options like the Impossible Breakfast Sausage Sandwich, Impossible Asian Style Meatballs, and the Impossible Chicago Style Hot Dog, among others. For dessert, the pop-up will offer Oatly Soft Serve in flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and a swirl of both. Peter McGuinness, president and CEO of Impossible Foods, explained the company’s motivation behind this new venture: “Impossible began as a foodservice brand, launching our flagship beef product in 2016 with some of the best …

more

Organisations and brands:

© SunOpta

SunOpta Reports Strong Q2 2024 Financial Results with 21% Revenue Surge

SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq: STKL, TSX: SOY) announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2024. The company reported a 21% increase in revenue from continuing operations, reaching $171 million, primarily driven by a 26.9% growth in volume. The company’s adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $20.6 million, representing a 12% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year. SunOpta’s supply chain supported a substantial increase in output, continuing its growth trajectory as a manufacturer of organic, non-GMO, and plant-based food products, which are distributed across retail, foodservice, and e-commerce channels. “We are increasing our revenue outlook for 2024 and maintaining our adjusted EBITDA guidance to reflect short-term investments in the supply chain. Given the depth of our pipeline, operational and supply chain …

more

Organisations and brands:

A petri dish with plant ingredients

© Ayana Bio

Plant Cell Culture Company Ayana Bio Appoints Jill Zullo, Formerly of Cargill, to Board of Directors

Plant cell culture technology company Ayana Bio announces the appointment of Jill Zullo, PhD, described as “an experienced commercial leader with deep technical roots in biotechnology”, to the company’s Board of Directors. Zullo is the former president and CEO of NatureWorks and Global Managing Director Biointermediates at Cargill. According to the company, the appointment “further underscores the focus on establishing Ayana Bio as a leader in the plant cell culture space and assembling a board of directors with diverse backgrounds of expertise to guide the company to commercial success.” Ayana Bio uses plant cell cultivation to grow plant materials, with a focus on creating ingredients that leverage plant bioactives for health and wellness products. A spinoff from Boston’s Ginkgo Bioworks, Ayana recently partnered with Wooree …

more

Organisations and brands:

David Weiner, Cauldron Ferm's newly appointed CTO

David Weiner - Image courtesy of Cauldron Ferm

Cauldron Appoints Biotech Veteran to Spearhead Hyper-Fermentation Solution for Alternative Proteins

Contract manufacturer organization Cauldron Ferm announces the appointment of Solugen and BASF industry veteran David Weiner as new chief technology officer. Drawing on his extensive experience in product development and scaling innovative biotech solutions, Weiner will oversee the company’s technology R&D pipeline as the Australian company embarks on its next phase of global expansion. Cauldron, founded in 2022 in Borenore, New South Wales, has developed a precision fermentation technology that promises to reach price parity — or even cheaper — with current goods such as dairy, egg, and silk proteins and widely used petrochemicals. The company recently closed a Series A funding round of over $6.25 million with investors including SOSV, In-Q-Tel, Main Sequence, and Horizons Ventures. “David brings a distinguished career leading R&D programs that …

more

Organisations and brands:

Beyond Stack Burger_spread

© Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat Exceeds Q2 Revenue Guidance, Says Plant-Based is Victim of “Sustained Misinformation” Campaigns

Beyond Meat has published its financial results for Q2 2024, showing that the company exceeded revenue guidance and achieved its best quarterly margin since Q2 2021. Net revenues reached $93.2 million, above the guidance range of $85 to $90 million; this was partly due to price increases on certain products. However, the figures still reflect an 8.8% decline compared to the same period last year. This was driven by a 14% decrease in the volume of products sold, which was partially offset by a 6.1% increase in net revenue per pound. President and CEO Ethan Brown said a “sustained misinformation campaign” by the animal protein and pharmaceutical industries had negatively impacted consumer perception of plant-based meat alternatives. However, he explained that the company was countering …

more

Organisations and brands:

© Boundless

Bristol’s Boundless Raises £1.5M, Becoming UK’s No.1 Gut Health Snack

Following an investment round of £1.5 million from notable industry investors including Graze co-founder Ben Jones (announced as the company’s director and investor in 2022), and the ex-head of M&S Food, Boundless of Bristol says it has secured its position as the UK’s number one gut health bagged snack. With the value of sales up by 110.2% year-on-year and volume up by 171%, the company’s value share in the Better For You category is leading at 1.6 times faster than its closest competitor according to Boundless, marking 58% year-on-year growth and putting founder & CEO Cathy Moseley in the top 10% of FMCG female founders. Boundless’ vegan-friendly portfolio includes chips in Sour Cream & Onion, Smoky Bacon, Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar, and Chipotle & …

more

Organisations and brands:

Transport of a process water tank from the Cruise Terminal Altona via the Reeperbahn to Hamburg-Wandsbek

© Ohly

Ohly to Open State-of-the-Art Fermentation Plant in Hamburg

Ohly, a manufacturer of yeast-based specialities, is opening a new state-of-the-art fermentation plant in Hamburg next year, as consumer and investor interest in fermentation derived products and yeast-based ingredients continue to surge. The new fermentation plant will be built according to the latest hygiene design standards, which guarantee sustainable cleaning, says the company. A key feature of the new plant is the heat recovery system, which conserves and reuses enough thermal energy to supply almost 800 single-family homes each year. “Hamburg is the birthplace of our production. The city not only offers us an excellent infrastructure, but also access to qualified specialists and important markets. With the new fermentation plant, we are not only securing jobs in the region, but also contributing to a more …

more

Organisations and brands:

Jukka Kajan of Plant Based Foods Finland

Jukka Kajan. © Plant Based Foods Finland

Plant Based Foods Finland Appoints First Executive Director to Strengthen Advocacy Efforts

Industry association Plant Based Foods Finland (Pro Vege in Finnish) has appointed its first executive director, Jukka Kajan. Previously, Kajan has worked as a food industry consultant and Public Affairs Manager at Raisio Group. Niklas Kaskeala, Chairman of the Board at Plant Based Foods Finland, says Kajan’s leadership will help to strengthen the association’s advocacy efforts. “We look forward to Nordic and European cooperation led by Jukka, who brings extensive knowledge of plant-based food value chains and is a well-connected and active advocate for food system transformation,” he says. In its first year, Plant Based Foods Finland has amassed 27 members, including all major retail chains in the country and participants from the restaurant sector, research institutions, and cellular agriculture. Kajan describes the number of …

more

Organisations and brands:

SUJIS LINK

© SUJIS LINK

South Korea’s SUJIS LINK Secures Investment from Samyang Foods to Scale Meat Analog Technology 

Food technology company SUJIS LINK has secured a strategic investment of ₩3 billion (around $2.5M) from Samyang Foods, following a business agreement between the two companies last November to foster active collaboration in the South Korean alternative protein sector. Founded in 2016, SUJIS LINK initially focused on conventional processed meat products and became the first company in Korea to implement High Moisture Meat Analog (HMMA) mass production technology from Swiss plant equipment manufacturer Bühler Group. The company’s focus has since shifted towards the development and production of plant-based meats. Jinwon Lim, Deputy CEO of SUJIS LINK, outlined the company’s plans: “With this investment from Samyang Foods, we plan to introduce various new products using plant-based proteins to both domestic and international markets in the second …

more

Organisations and brands:

Impos heme approved for sale of burger in EU

© Impossible Foods

Impossible Burger Closer to EU Market as “Bleeding” Fermented Heme Deemed Safe

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has deemed Impossible Foods‘ precision fermentation-derived heme — soy leghemoglobin — safe for consumption. Soy leghemoglobin is responsible for the famous “bleeding” meat-like color and flavor of the Impossible Burger and other beef products of the US plant-based meat company. The additive, intended to be used as a coloring agent in meat analogs, is proposed to be included at a maximum level of 0.8%. The EFSA did not find it necessary to set an acceptable daily intake for soy leghemoglobin, as reported by Bloomberg. Since its initiation in 2019, the approval process has involved an ongoing safety assessment, which is yet to be completed. The company’s next challenge before achieving market approval is undergoing a safety evaluation by the …

more

Organisations and brands:

load more