Australian FoodTech company Nourish Ingredients has completed a successful commercial production run of its plant-based fat, Tastilux, in collaboration with its partner, Cabio Biotech of China. The production run marks a significant milestone, as the companies claim to be the first in the industry to achieve commercial-scale validation of a plant-based fat with a low cost of production.
Nourish Ingredients’ chief technical officer, Anna El Tahchy, described the achievement as a “breakthrough” for the company, as reported by Food & Drink Business. The company has now increased its production capacity by 1700%, meeting the demand for 170,000 tons of end product. This leap in scale has been made possible by the low inclusion rates required for Tastilux, a key factor in its cost-efficiency.
Flavor stability is a key selling point
James Petrie, co-founder and CEO of Nourish Ingredients, explained that providing a “delicious animalic taste” is essential for appealing to consumers in the plant-based market. Petrie further noted that customer feedback has confirmed the product’s exceptional flavor stability, with its deep, meaty richness lasting from the first bite to the last, mirroring the characteristics of animal-derived fats.
The collaboration between Nourish Ingredients and Cabio Biotech was formed to capitalize on the growing demand for plant-based alternatives in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in China. Cabio, a leader in microbial fermentation and synthetic biology, brings over 20 years of experience in producing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) for industries such as infant formula, dietary supplements, and animal nutrition.
The company operates one of the world’s largest LCPUFA manufacturing facilities, which employs bio-fermentation, non-solvent extraction, refining, winterization, and microencapsulation processes. According to Jimmy Wang, vice president of Cabio Biotech: “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing biotechnology and delivering cutting-edge products.”
Leveraging expertise for market expansion
The terms of the partnership lay out a strategy for expanding Tastilux’s market reach, with Cabio leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities to ensure efficient, low-waste production. Petrie noted Cabio’s expertise in navigating China’s regulatory landscape as a critical factor for the swift market entry of Nourish Ingredients’ products in China and other Asian markets. This, he explained, provides a competitive edge in the rapidly growing economies of the region.
The first batch of Tastilux is now ready for shipment, with orders set to be fulfilled across three continents.
