Fermented colors to arise from a partnership between Dutch plant-based ingredients company GNT Group, known for its EXBERRY plant-based color solutions, and Plume Biotechnology, a UK-based startup specializing in fermentation science and bioprocessing for natural colors.
GNT has been creating colors from fruit, vegetables, and plants since 1978, offering a complete spectrum of stable and vibrant non-GMO colors for food and beverages, including realistic solutions for plant-based meat.
“The rapid evolution of fermentation-based technologies is providing unprecedented opportunities within the realms of natural colors”
Sheffield’s Plume Biotechnology upcycles agricultural waste to produce high-quality natural food colors and nutritious plant-based proteins. Thomas Burns, the startup’s CEO, comments: “The rapid evolution of fermentation-based technologies is providing unprecedented opportunities within the realms of natural colors.
“In GNT, we have found the perfect strategic partner with a shared commitment to delivering excellent products whilst keeping sustainability at the heart of everything we do.”
First venture into fermentation
The collaboration marks GNT’s first venture into fermentation technology, aiming to expand the EXBERRY portfolio with new sustainable colors while also advancing the company’s environmental and social sustainability goals.
Frederik Hoeck, GNT Group’s Managing Director, shares: “As a family business, we understand the importance of acting responsibly and ensuring we are truly sustainable. This partnership with Plume will help us add new, futureproof options to our plant-based EXBERRY® portfolio.”
Fermentation-based colors
Based in the Netherlands, GNT says it has a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and long-term strategic investments to ensure a stable supply chain. According to the company, it has made significant strides towards its 2022 sustainability goals, including a 22% reduction in carbon intensity and a 13% improvement in water efficiency at its factories since 2020.
“We are confident that working with Plume will allow us to deliver exciting new plant-based, sustainable solutions”
Leveraging biotechnology to produce colors will further enhance the company’s sustainability goals. Fermentation offers year-round, efficient, and sustainable production with improved functionality. It allows for scaling up in larger bioreactors to produce high biomass yield and pigment concentration, explains GNT.
Finn Rieken, Strategy Director at GNT Group, said: “We are committed to leading the food coloring industry on sustainability. As well as promoting responsible agriculture and cutting emissions at our factories, we’re constantly exploring new options for highly sustainable colors that can deliver exceptional performance.
“We believe fermentation-based colors have huge potential to tick both those boxes. We are confident that working with Plume will allow us to deliver exciting new plant-based, sustainable solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.”
