Fermentation: Latest News 2023 - vegconomist: the vegan business magazine

Solar Foods' protein Solein used in different dishes

© Solar Foods

Solar Foods and Ajinomoto Unite to Create Next-Gen Air Protein Foods

June 2, 2023

Last week, Finland’s Solar Foods debuted its microbial protein Solein, made out of thin air, at a tasting event in Singapore. After this historic moment in food history, Solar Foods has announced a strategic alliance with Japanese food and biotechnology corporation Ajinomoto to develop products using the revolutionary Solein and introduce them to global markets. The partnership — Solar Foods’ first collaboration with a major global food brand — will make Solein a reality. In the coming years, a new range of sustainable products will launch for the first time in Singapore. In Q4 2024, the companies will conduct a market feasibility study in Singapore for product development. Solar Foods is now ready to commercialize Solein. It received regulatory approval from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) last October, …

Organisations and Brands:Ajinomoto Solar Foods

Scott Hine Hired as Chief Production Officer at Every Co.

Image courtesy of Scott Hine

The EVERY Co. Hires Food and Precision Fermentation Veteran Scott Hine to Scale Up Manufacturing

June 1, 2023June 1, 2023

Egg protein specialist The EVERY Co. announces it has appointed food and fermentation veteran Scott Hine as Chief Production Officer. In Hine’s new role, he will lead the growth of EVERY’s manufacturing footprint as it expands its commercial partnerships, and works to reach price parity with chicken eggs. As a former executive at Kraft Foods, Accenture and Novus International, Hine brings over three decades of experience in agriculture, consulting, and consumer food products. At Novus International, which produces nutrition solutions – including those made from fermentation – for livestock and aquaculture, Hine served as Chief Innovation Officer and oversaw a +$250M global business portfolio while leading the development of technology and innovation partnerships. Growing Every’s footprint At EVERY, Hine will head the company’s initiatives to …

Organisations and Brands:The EVERY Co.

Changing Bio's parmesan cheese made with microbial protein

Image courtesy of GFI

Changing Bio Launches China’s First Range of Microbial Protein Dairy Alternatives

May 26, 2023May 26, 2023

After winning the Sustainability Innovation Award at BEYOND Expo 2023 in Macau, Shanghai-based Changing Bio officially debuted the company’s first line of alt dairy products made with a microbial protein derived from yeast dubbed Kluvy at the 25th annual Bakery Expo in Shanghai. At the event, the company’s new ChangingPRO line, including whipped cream and a low-fat parmesan powder high in protein and probiotics featured the novel protein Kluvy mixed with plant-based ingredients. Other products used the novel protein but mixed with conventional dairy. Kluvy, considered a complete source of protein with a PDCAAS score of 1, is a domesticated strain from a bacteria discovered in Shangri-La, a famous town at the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. “There are 10,000 billion species of microorganisms that coexist …

Organisations and Brands:Changing Bio

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Solar Foods' protein Solein used in different dishes

© Solar Foods

Solar Foods’ Air Protein to Be Tasted by Public Tomorrow in “Watershed Moment” for Food History

May 24, 2023

Finland’s Solar Foods announces the debut of its microbial protein Solein in the first-ever tasting event of an air protein, taking place in Singapore tomorrow, the 25th of May. Solein, described as the world’s most sustainable protein, is developed with microbes, carbon dioxide, and electricity. Its bioprocess is free from the “burdens of agriculture” and weather events, allowing its production anywhere; in deserts, Arctic regions, and even space. Michelin-starred chefs will explore this novel protein’s culinary possibilities in different dishes served at a fine restaurant, announces Solar Foods. Why Singapore? Singapore’s reliance on importing over 90% of its food has led the government to establish food security as a high priority. Over SG$114 million has been invested in alternative proteins as part of the government’s 30 …

Organisations and Brands:Solar Foods

Vegan goat cheese by Les Nouveaux Affineurs

© Les Nouveaux Affineurs

Les Nouveaux Affineurs Presents La Bûche, a Gourmet Goat’s Cheese Likely to Ruffle Feathers in France

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023

Paris-based Les Nouveaux Affineurs this week presents its new creation, La Bûche (“the log”), a veganized goat’s cheese created with fermented cashews. Founded in 2017 by Nour Akbaraly, and receiving a €2M cash injection in 2020, Les Nouveaux Affineurs says that it “imagines, creates, and produces natural, vegan & vegetable alternatives to cheese”. Its popular products are indistinguishable from their traditional counterparts, and during a blind-testing amongst the public, Parisians were shocked and amazed to learn that this cheese did not come from cows. La Bûche is described by the French startup as a “ripened and fermented product handled with care for multiple weeks. Its delicate white crust and its soft center reveal notes that will remind you of goat cheese.” The product is crafted …

Organisations and Brands:Les Nouveaux Affineurs

Air Protein and ADM join forces to commercially laungh landless proteins to make alt foods

Image courtesy ADM

Air Protein & ADM Partner to Bring Alt Meat Made With “Landless Protein” to Consumers

May 19, 2023May 18, 2023

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Air Protein are partnering to develop and launch consumer products using novel landless proteins. The two parties have companies signed a strategic development agreement whereby ADM will provide researchers, ingredients knowledge, technologies, and strategies, to help Air Protein scale its protein ingredients platform for the development of new cost-effective and nutritious products, among them alt meats. The partnership also includes mutually exclusive rights for ADM and Air Protein to collaborate to build and operate a commercial-scale landless protein plant. A new protein to feed a growing population Players in the emerging field of air proteins include Finland’s Solar Foods, with its protein Solein, and Dutch startup Farmless, though Air Protein is arguably that with the highest profile. Co-founded by Lisa Dyson and John …

Organisations and Brands:Air Protein Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)

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WNWN founders

© WNWN Food Labs

Alt Choc Pioneer WNWN Reveals Milk Chocolate Without Either Milk or Cocoa

May 17, 2023

London-based WNWN Food Labs, the first to bring cocoa-free chocolate to market, today announces that its first “milk” chocolate products are in the pipeline. WNWN’s milk chocolate is free from cocoa and dairy and features oats as well tiger nuts, sustainably sourced from Spain where they are known as chufas, traditionally used in the traditional Spanish drink Horchata. WNWN describes its milk chocolate as “sweeter and creamier than its dark counterpart, with notes of mocha, malt, and hazelnut, and a buttery finish”. Having raised $5.6 million (£4.5m) to bring its cocoa-free chocolate range to UK retail this February and then going on to create the “world’s first” cocoa-free chocolate Easter egg, WNWN now reports that it has successfully completed the recipe and process for a …

Organisations and Brands:WNWN Food Labs

Formless raises €1.2 million to produce carbon-negative, functional proteins

Image provided by HackCapital

Farmless Raises €1.2m to Produce Carbon-Negative Fermented Proteins With Capability to Eliminate Factory Farming

May 10, 2023

Netherlands-based Farmless has announced a €1.2 million raise in a pre-seed round to produce carbon-negative, functional ingredients to make alt protein foods. Founded in Amsterdam by Adnan Oner, Farmless says its mission is to “decouple” food production from agricultural land. It is developing a land-efficient fermentation platform to turn CO2, hydrogen, and renewable energy into functional ingredients, starting with proteins. The round was co-led by Revent, Nucleus Capital, and Possible Ventures, with participation from HackCapital, Sustainable Food Ventures, VOYAGERS Climate-Tech Fund, TET Ventures, and a group of angel investors. 500x less land “We’re proud to be backed by an amazing group of experienced climate tech investors who share our mission. With our fermentation platform, we aim to dramatically outperform animal agriculture and reliably produce low-cost proteins at …

Organisations and Brands:Farmless

Helaina is ready to commercialise its animal-free lactoferrin for functional foods

Image courtesy of Helaina

New York’s Helaina Ready to Commercialize Animal-Free Lactoferrin

May 10, 2023

After achieving a large-scale manufacturing milestone, bioactive protein company Helaina announces that its first high-value ingredient —animal-free lactoferrin — is ready for commercialization to create consumer products focused on immune health. Founded in 2019 in New York City, Helaina has raised more than $25 million from leading investors. Helaina is a member of the Precision Fermentation Alliance, a new trade organization formed to promote precision fermentation as a solution for a more resilient and sustainable food system. A protein found in breast milk, lactoferrin is known for improved nutrient absorption, cognitive support, and antimicrobial defense. Helaina says it improves infant formula and functional foods, such as nutritional bars or supplements. “Helaina is now producing Lactoferrin at scale, but that’s just the beginning,” said Laura Katz, …

Organisations and Brands:Helaina

Real Vegan Mozzarella Cheese

©New Culture

New Culture Partners with Chef Nancy Silverton to Launch “Revolutionary” Animal-Free Mozzarella in 2024

May 9, 2023

Precision fermentation startup New Culture announces it is partnering with iconic chef and restauranteur Nancy Silverton to launch its first product – animal-free mozzarella – in Silverton’s acclaimed Pizzeria Mozza restaurant in 2024. New Culture says the debut will mark a significant milestone in making its animal-free dairy cheese available to consumers. As the co-owner of the renowned Mozza Restaurant Group, Silverton is known for her focus on high-quality pizza crust and premium mozzarella cheese. According to New Culture, its product is the first animal-free cheese to meet Silverton’s high standards and be offered on the meny at any of her restaurants. The launch will feature two new pizzas: A traditional Margherita and a caponata pizza with eggplant, tomato confit, pickled onions and caperberries. New Culture …

Organisations and Brands:New Culture Pizzeria Mozza

Fermify secures $5 million for its animal-free caseins to make vegan cheese

Image courtesy of Fermify

Fermify Secures $5M for Mission to Remove Cows From Dairy by 2027

May 15, 2023May 9, 2023

In a female-led seed funding round, Austrian biotech company Fermify has secured $5 million for its revolutionary animal-free production system that allows the removal of cows from cheese production. Founded in November 2021 by Eva Sommer and Christoph Herwig, Fermify has developed a fully automated platform to produce precision fermentation-derived casein proteins to make animal-free cheese at scale. Fermify aims to facilitate the “full disruption of cows” by 2027 by enabling the production of real cheese without the cruelty and environmental destruction caused by the dairy industry. Female-led investors Dörte Hirschberg from Article 9 climate tech fund Climentum Capital led the round. Co-investors include Bettine Schmitz from Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund and Nina Wöss from Fund F. Clima Now, Satgana Ventures, Triple Impact Ventures, and existing investors, …

Organisations and Brands:Fermify

Microharvest team

The company's new Lisbon office. © MicroHarvest

MicroHarvest Raises €1.5M for Fermented Protein That Can Be Produced in 24 Hours

May 8, 2023

Agrifoodtech startup MicroHarvest has raised €1.5 million from Simon Capital, announcing that the new partnership will “strengthen the teams’ operational know-how” along with providing funding. The raise coincides with the opening of MicroHarvest’s new office in Lisbon on May 4. The company will now be based in both Hamburg and Lisbon, and is building a pilot plant in the latter city to produce prototypes and accelerate research. Highly efficient protein MicroHarvest produces fermentation-enabled protein using a proprietary technology based on biomass fermentation. The protein can be produced in just 24 hours from input to output, using a fraction of the resources required for many other alternative proteins. The company has already successfully scaled to a production rate of 300kg per day. According to MicroHarvest, there …

Organisations and Brands:MicroHarvest

Nature's Fynd expands into retail across the US

Image credit: Nature's Fynd IG

Nature’s Fynd Expands Retail Distribution, Bringing its Revolutionary Fungi Protein to More Tables

May 4, 2023May 4, 2023

Chicago-based Nature’s Fynd announces new retail distribution expansions for its alt meat and dairy products made with fermented proteins from fungi. After launching regionally a year ago, Nature’s Fynd Meatless Original Breakfast Patties will now be on the shelves of 400 Whole Foods Markets stores across the US. Additionally, the company’s Dairy-Free Cream Cheese, in Original and Chive & Onion flavors, is launching in all Fresh Thyme Market locations — a full-service specialty retailer with 70 stores in ten states across the Midwest. Cutting edge of alt protein Nature’s Fynd has raised $500 million to date, including a $4.76 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. At the cutting edge of the alt protein food tech revolution, Nature’s Fynd produces fermented fungi proteins from a microbe originating in the geothermal …

Organisations and Brands:Nature's Fynd

Onego Bio_Bioalbumen whisk

© Onego Bio

Onego Bio’s Animal-Free Egg White Wins Fast Company 2023 World Changing Ideas Award

May 4, 2023May 3, 2023

Fermentation startup Onego Bio announces its development of Bioalbumen™, an animal-free egg white protein, has been selected as a winner in Fast Company’s 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards. Bioalbumen was named the Winner of the Food category and a Finalist in the Agriculture category. Produced with precision fermentation, Bioalbumen harnesses a scalable biotech process that uses the microorganism Trichoderma reesei. In a method akin to beer production, the microbes are fed water, sugar, and certain minerals to produce Bioalbumen powder, which is identical to egg white protein powder. According to Onego Bio, Bioalbumen provides all the nutritional and functional benefits of egg whites without the environmental, safety and supply chain concerns of chicken eggs. The product also maintains the performance of real egg whites, including …

Organisations and Brands:Fast Company Onego Bio

The EVERY Co. and Alpha Foods collaborate to create tastier alt meat favorites

Image courtesy of The EVERY Co.

The EVERY Co. and Alpha Foods Team Up to Create Next-Gen Alt Meat Favorites

May 3, 2023

Animal-free protein food tech, The EVERY Co. announces a joint development agreement (JDA) with plant-based brand Alpha Foods to develop a new range of meat analogs using EVERY’s egg protein. Through product innovation, the companies aim to accelerate improvements in the taste and texture of non-animal products to unlock the potential of the plant-based category. “We’re thrilled to partner with Alpha Foods to work hand-in-hand to craft better-than-ever alt meat offerings, unlocking the massive potential of this category to drive the next generation of kinder consumer-favorite foods,” said Arturo Elizondo, co-founder and CEO at EVERY. Developing kinder food Founded in 2015 and based in California, Alpha makes protein-packed plant-based versions of popular favorites like burgers for the Plant Power Fast Food or Crispy Chik’n Patties available at 600 …