Company News

Upstream Foods

© Upstream Foods

Upstream Foods to Wind Down Operations Amid Funding Challenges

Upstream Foods, a Dutch startup focused on cultivating fish fat for plant-based seafood products, has announced it will wind down its operations. Kianti Figler, the company’s founder and CEO, shared the news on social media, stating that the decision was driven by the inability to secure the necessary funding to continue scaling the product. The company had been developing cultivated fish fat designed to mimic the flavor and texture of traditional fish fat. This product is made by extracting fish cells to produce stem cells, which are then cultivated into fat cells within a bioreactor. These fat cells are combined with a plant-based matrix to form the final product. Despite raising approximately €1.5 million over the past three years, Upstream Foods faced substantial challenges in …

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Solar Foods signs letter of intent regarding commercialization of Solein air-based protein

© Solar Foods

Solar Foods Signs Letter of Intent Regarding Commercialization of Up to 1,650 Tonnes Per Year of Its Air-Based Protein, Solein

Finland’s Solar Foods has signed a Letter of Intent with a leading international brand in health and performance nutrition, with the aim of commercializing between 500 and 1,650 tonnes per year of its air-based protein, Solein, over the period 2026-2030. The Letter of Intent describes the companies’ intentions to collaborate on the development of products in the Health & Performance category, and outlines the fundamental principles of the planned collaboration. The intention behind the partnership is to advance product development and explore integration into end-customer offerings, such as ready-to-mix protein shakes and protein bars. If the Letter of Intent leads to a binding agreement, 1,650 tonnes of Solein per year would correspond to around 13% of the full production capacity of the company’s Factory 02, …

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Nu-Tek BioSciences

© Nu-Tek BioSciences

Nu-Tek BioSciences Joins SIMB 2025 to Discuss Animal-Free Fermentation Advancements

Nu-Tek BioSciences, a leading supplier of animal-free peptones and specialty yeast extracts, will participate in the 75th Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (SIMB) Annual Meeting, taking place from July 27-30, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. The company will present its range of products designed for industrial fermentation applications. Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Nu-Tek BioSciences focuses on animal-free ingredients used in cell culture and microbial fermentation, supporting critical applications across the biotechnology sector. Their product portfolio includes yeast extracts, soy peptones, pea peptones, wheat hydrolysates, and plant-based cell culture media. Growing need for plant-based media Nu-Tek BioSciences recognizes the growing demand for plant-based, animal-free cell culture media that meet regulatory standards and quality audits. Leveraging extensive experience in custom manufacturing plant-based cell nutrients, …

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RAISE snacks

© RAISE

UK Healthy Snack Brand RAISE Aims for £1M in Revenue Following Rapid Growth

RAISE is a UK-based healthy snack brand that was founded in 2023. The company’s revenue reached £135,000 last year, and following a period of rapid growth, it now aims to reach £1 million in 2025. RAISE produces nut and seed clusters, inspired by the granola snacks made by founder Chester Robinson’s Nigerian mother when he was growing up. After his father passed away when he was 22, Robinson developed a strong interest in eating healthily and exercising, and now hopes to revitalise the snack market with nutritious products. Shortly after RAISE was founded, it was chosen for Sainsbury’s Future Brands incubator program, gaining startup support and a listing at the retailer. “Securing a listing with Sainsbury’s was a dream come true, but we were met …

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Premier Lacrosse League beyond meat

© Premier Lacrosse League

Beyond Meat Joins Premier Lacrosse League as Official Plant-Based Protein Partner

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) has entered into a multi-year partnership with Beyond Meat, making the company the official plant-based protein partner of the PLL. This partnership provides the league’s athletes with access to Beyond Meat’s products throughout the season. Fueling elite performance with plant protein The Premier Lacrosse League, founded by Paul and Mike Rabil, is a men’s professional lacrosse league in the United States with eight teams and a focus on elite athleticism. The partnership will officially kick off with the 2025 PLL season and will feature on-field branding, digital content collaborations, and fan engagement activities throughout the year. As part of the deal, Beyond Meat will supply its plant-based protein products to all eight PLL teams. The company’s products will be incorporated …

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Love BUDS

© Love BUDS

Aussie Plant Based Co. Rebounds with Major Retail and Foodservice Partnerships

After entering liquidation in October 2024, Aussie Plant Based Co. has re-established its presence in the Australian market, securing new national listings. The company announced that its Love Buds brand will be available in Coles supermarkets, while Betty’s Burgers has also added the brand to its menu across the country. The company’s recovery has been led by Raghu Reddy, who took over after the business faced financial difficulties. Reddy has managed to restructure the company without external funding, focusing on regaining key partnerships and rebuilding its product offering. Reflecting on the turnaround, Reddy said, “What we’ve achieved in the past nine months has been one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys of my career. We’ve worked hard to rebuild trust with our partners, and …

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Veganz Mililk FoodTech

© Veganz

Veganz Establishes New Company Mililk FoodTech in Preparation for Strategic Investments

Plant-based innovator Veganz Group AG has announced the founding of a new company, Mililk FoodTech GmbH, as it prepares for strategic investors to come on board in Q3 2025. Mililk was previously a brand by Veganz, offering a milk alternative made using a patented 2D printing process. The product is sold in sheets that can be blended with water to create oat milk, using significantly less packaging and generating fewer emissions than conventional plant-based milk. It also offers a long shelf life without the need for refrigeration, and the production process is said to be energy- and cost-efficient. The strategic investors are expected to enter with a total volume of between €10 million and €20 million. Veganz will still hold a majority stake in Mililk …

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peter mcguinness

© Bloomberg

McGuinness Talks Strategy for Impossible Foods’ European Expansion: “Leading with Climate Didn’t Work”

At Bloomberg’s Sustainable Business Summit in London, Peter McGuinness, CEO of Impossible Foods, shared insights on the company’s strategy for European market expansion. Speaking with Bloomberg’s Kriti Gupta, McGuinness detailed the company’s efforts to navigate the evolving plant-based food industry and its approach to overcoming current market challenges. UK market faces plateau Impossible Foods is seeking to expand its presence in the UK and the European market. McGuinness pointed out that the UK leads Europe in plant-based consumption, offering a unique opportunity for the company. However, he noted that the market, while initially growing rapidly, has begun to plateau, largely due to issues with taste and consumer confusion. “It started with a big bang, and there was a lot of publicity around it and several …

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© Arsenale Bioyards

Arsenale Bioyards, Cauldron & Shiru Selected as Technology Pioneers by World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum has announced the 2025 cohort of its Technology Pioneers community, recognizing 100 early-stage companies from 28 countries. Among the cohort are three companies developing novel proteins and ingredients: “You need a community to move your mission forward” 2025 marks the 25th year of the Technology Pioneers program. Alumni include notable names like Google, Dropbox, PayPal, and SoundCloud, along with companies focused on alternative proteins such as Air Protein and Modern Meadow. The World Economic Forum notes that the U.S. remains the top contributor to the community, but Europe’s share has surged to 28%, up from 20% last year. China and India are also emerging as major tech innovation hubs. “There has never been a more exciting time to dive headfirst into …

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THIS burger

© THIS

Sales of THIS Plant-Based BBQ Products Surge 21% Amid UK Heatwave

As the UK experiences a heatwave, plant-based food company THIS™ has reported a 21% increase in sales of its burger and sausage ranges at Tesco and Sainsbury’s over the past two weeks. The rise in sales coincides with the increased popularity of barbecues during the summer months, with many consumers opting for meat-free alternatives at their grill sessions. The future of BBQ is plant-based Nick Ball, Commercial Director of THIS™, noted that the surge in sales reflects the growing demand for flavorful plant-based options. “Nothing says summer like the smell of a barbecued sausage wafting over the fence — and there’s a good chance it’s a plant-based one,” said Ball. THIS™ offers a variety of products suited for grilling, including the THIS™ Isn’t Pork Sausages, …

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Burcon's protein uses

© Burcon

Plant-Based Protein Innovator Burcon Enters Multi-Year $6.8M Production Agreement

Burcon NutraScience Corporation, a company developing novel protein ingredients from plant-based sources, has entered into a multi-year production agreement valued at approximately $6.8 million in aggregate. The agreement will see Burcon produce for a leading provider of clean-label, plant-based ingredients at its facility in Galesburg, Illinois. Production volumes in the first year are expected to generate at least $1,400,000 in revenue for Burcon, and this will continue annually in subsequent years. The deal marks a new stage of Burcon’s business strategy, allowing the company to generate significant revenue from its commercial contract manufacturing services. “A major step in Burcon’s road to profitability” Burcon announced in February that it had entered into a binding agreement with ProMan for the acquisition and operation of a protein production …

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Univar Solutions and Ingredion expand partnership in Benelux region

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Univar Solutions and Ingredion to Bring Plant-Based and Clean-Label Products to Benelux Region Through Expanded Partnership

Univar Solutions Belgium has announced an expansion of the partnership between its Foodology by Univar Solutions business and leading global ingredient provider Ingredion. Effective from October 1, the distribution expansion will bring a variety of plant-based and clean-label products to the Benelux region. This will include plant-based proteins, Ingredion’s Novation® range of functional native starches, and a comprehensive portfolio of stevia sweeteners developed by PureCircle by Ingredion. The ingredients are intended to meet the growing demand for healthier and more sustainable products. Univar Solutions and Ingredion have been partnering to manufacture and distribute functional ingredients for over 30 years. The expanded collaboration will bring ingredients and solutions to 20 countries across the EMEA region. “Together with Ingredion, we stand at the forefront of ingredient innovation, …

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Mighty Drinks

© Mighty Drinks

UK Alt-Milk Brand Mighty Drinks Seeks New Owners After Entering Administration

Mighty Drinks, a UK-based producer of plant-based oat and pea milk, has entered administration following financial difficulties linked to rising costs and declining consumer confidence. The company, which was one of the UK’s fastest-growing dairy alternatives brands, appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory on June 17. Struggles with investment & financial sustainability As initially reported by Just Food, the company’s parent organization, Watkins Drinks Limited, struggled to secure necessary investment, which ultimately led to its decision to appoint James Clark and Howard Smith from Interpath as joint administrators. The firm’s product range, sold in supermarkets and health stores across the UK, included pea-protein and oat-based milks. Tom Swiers, food and drink sector lead at Interpath, explained that while Mighty Drinks had developed a strong product portfolio, …

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DMK Group announces planned merger with Arla

© DMK Group/Arla

Big News for Dairy Alternatives as Arla Announces Intended Merger With DMK Group

The boards of representatives of dairy cooperatives Arla and DMK Group, both of which are increasingly moving into the dairy alternatives sector, have voted in favour of a planned merger. According to the companies, the merger will unite Arla’s international reach and innovation expertise with DMK Group’s strong product portfolio and know-how. Following the approval of the cooperatives’ decision-making bodies, the intended merger will now be subject to regulatory approval. This process is expected to conclude in Q1 2026, and the companies will continue to operate as separate entities in the meantime. If the merger is successful, the new entity will carry the Arla Foods name and will be headquartered in Viby J, Denmark. Jan Toft Nørgaard will serve as Chair and Peder Tuborgh as …

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NS/TX Industries

© NS/TX Industries

New School Foods Unveils NS/TX, Using Advanced Freezing Tech to Create Hyper-Realistic Plant-Based Whole Cuts

Toronto-based food technology company, New School Foods, has announced the formation of NS/TX Industries Inc., an expanded entity that will oversee its proprietary manufacturing platform, consumer brand, and operations. Known for developing the world’s first plant-based salmon that closely mimics the appearance, taste, and texture of traditional fish, the company now plans to apply its innovative technology to red meat products, including steak and bone-in ribs. NS/TX Industries Inc. will house the company’s breakthrough scaffolding technology, which utilizes directional freezing to create hyper-realistic whole-cut plant-based meats. This process, which the company claims is more advanced than traditional extrusion methods, allows for the combination of muscle fibers and connective tissue into a single structure. The resulting products aim to replicate the texture and cooking experience of …

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© Rügenwalder Mühle

Rügenwalder Mühle Retains Dominance in Germany’s Plant-Based Market

Rügenwalder Mühle has reinforced its position as the leading player in the German market for plant-based meat and sausage alternatives, continuing to outperform others in the industry. Dominant market share Despite a decline in overall market performance, the family-owned company has achieved notable growth, solidifying its significant market share of 43.3% as of the first quarter of 2025. This figure surpasses the combined market share of all its competitors, further cementing the company’s leadership in this space. Jörg Pfirrmann, managing director of Rügenwalder Mühle, attributed the company’s success to its innovation-driven approach and strong brand leadership. “We are growing profitably and have gained new market shares through innovations and clear brand leadership – against the industry trend,” he stated. Outperforming a downward market While the …

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Lauren Maillian, President of Slutty Vegan

Lauren Maillian. Image: Slutty Vegan on LinkedIn

Slutty Vegan Appoints Tech Executive Lauren Maillian as President

US-based restaurant chain Slutty Vegan has announced the appointment of Lauren Maillian as its new President. Maillian has impressive credentials, having previously led the turnaround of a nine-figure minority-owned media company. She is also the founder and CEO of LMB Group, and was formerly President of Hero Media and CEO of digitalundivided; at the latter, she helped to grow revenue by five times. Furthermore, Maillian founded and exited Sugarleaf Vineyards, becoming the youngest self-made winery owner in the US. She has invested in over 40 consumer startups with a market cap exceeding $5 billion, and has been an advisor to OptimizeRx, Overtime, and Cartier Women’s Initiative. “Big plans” Maillian has seemingly been appointed to help Slutty Vegan recover from a difficult chapter; founder and CEO …

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The Arkeon team. © Arkeon

Arkeon, a Company Turning Carbon Dioxide Into Protein, Files for Insolvency

Arkeon, an Austrian startup using fermentation to turn carbon dioxide into high-quality amino acids, has formally filed for insolvency. Co-founder and CEO Gregor Tegl made the announcement on LinkedIn, but did not reveal why the startup had run into difficulties. He thanked Arkeon’s team members, advisors, investors, partners, and supporters for their dedication to the company. Arkeon was founded to transform industrial emissions into proteins, with the aim of creating a circular economy and supporting sustainable manufacturing. The microbe used as part of the company’s regenerative bioprocess naturally produced all 20 proteinogenic amino acids, but had been engineered to selectively produce single amino acids tailored for industrial applications. “Every failure teaches us something new” Since its foundation, Arkeon had secured millions of euros in funding …

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Vegan Essentials / PlantX

©Vegan Essentials

Vegan Essentials Undergoes Ownership Change, Returns to Independent Family Management

Vegan Essentials, a long-established online retailer for vegan and plant-based products, is now under the ownership of Steven and Kim Skaff. The couple, who also own Fake Meats, LLC, acquired the company from PlantX, shifting it back to independent, family-run leadership. Founded in 1997, Vegan Essentials was one of the first online stores dedicated to plant-based foods and cruelty-free products. Over the years, it built a strong reputation for providing high-quality items and a reliable shopping experience. The company was sold to Vejii Holdings in 2021 and then to PlantX in 2022. However, in the wake of these changes, the Skaffs have expressed their intent to restore the customer trust and consistency that had defined the company for decades. Enhancing logistics Steven Skaff, who previously …

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nurishh cheese

© nurishh

Bel Group to Close Nurishh Plant-Based Cheese, Redirecting Efforts Toward Core Brands

Bel Group has announced plans to discontinue its plant-based cheese brand, Nurishh, by the end of 2025. The decision comes after the company faced challenges in making the product line profitable, despite ongoing efforts and significant investment in the venture. Launched in 2021, Nurishh was an attempt by the company to enter the growing plant-based cheese market. However, the brand has struggled to gain substantial market share. Currently, Nurishh holds just 1% of the plant-based cheese segment in retail, while, according to the company, its primary competitor controls 22% of the market. As part of the closure, Bel Group will also shut down its Saint-Nazaire production site, which is expected to affect around 30 employees. Inability to establish a profitable business model A spokesperson for …

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