French biotechnology firm Standing Ovation and global food processing leader Tetra Pak® have formed a new partnership focused on optimizing the industrial production of alternative caseins via precision fermentation. The collaboration follows Standing Ovation’s previous agreement with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), which granted access to AFE’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities for the development of alternative protein production.
“Precision fermentation is revolutionizing the production of vital ingredients”
The new alliance with Tetra Pak will support Standing Ovation’s efforts to refine its protein separation and purification processes, incorporating Tetra Pak’s technology to improve overall efficiency. The goal is to create scalable, sustainable solutions for industrial-scale production of alternative dairy proteins.
Tetra Pak’s role in the partnership will include the provision of specialized equipment and support for the design of pilot and industrial production units. This will allow Standing Ovation to expand the scale of its production while maintaining its focus on the environmental sustainability of its operations.
In particular, the partnership will target the optimization of downstream processing (DSP) techniques, which are critical for protein separation and purification in fermentation-based production methods. Tetra Pak’s expertise in food processing systems and equipment design will complement Standing Ovation’s patented fermentation technology.
Accelerating time-to-market
Yvan Chardonnens, CEO of Standing Ovation, commented on the significance of the collaboration: “This partnership with Tetra Pak is a major step forward in our industrial development. Their expertise in engineering and food processes will enable us to optimize our production capacities and accelerate the time-to-market for our fermented casein.”
Standing Ovation’s flagship product, Advanced Casein®, is a low-carbon, sustainable alternative to animal-based dairy proteins. It is designed to replicate the taste, nutritional, and functional qualities of traditional casein, with a significantly reduced environmental footprint. The company plans to launch this product in the United States by 2026.
Rafael Barros, Director of Business Stream New Food at Tetra Pak, added, “We are delighted to support Standing Ovation in optimizing and scaling its operations. Precision fermentation is revolutionizing the production of vital ingredients to nourish a growing population, but industrial production poses efficiency and profitability challenges. At Tetra Pak, we work with our customers on the process design, upscaling, and equipment planning to support their growth objectives.”
