Schouten Europe, the first Dutch company to develop meat alternatives and a market leader for decades, unveils a new product development — plant-based chicken schnitzel — crafted with a new fiber technology called NewTextures.
The technology, developed in-house after years of R&D, replaces traditional textured proteins with fibers. According to Schouten Europe, these fibers enhance the texture and appeal of products, bringing them closer to the meat experience.
“These products retain their juiciness, making them even more appealing”
The plant-based chicken schnitzel showcases the capabilities of NewTextures, boasting a juicy texture and the white color characteristic of chicken, explains the plant-based expert. Its ingredients include wheat and soy proteins, bamboo fibers, and oils such as rapeseed and sunflower.
“Meat substitutes are sometimes prepared incorrectly, which can make them a bit dry. These products retain their juiciness, making them even more appealing. The overall package is spot on, and we are very proud of this launch, which will help elevate the product category to a new level,” said Schouten.
Products with low footprint
While plant-based meat has approximately 50% less environmental impact than animal meat, Schouten states it remains dedicated to further minimizing this footprint.
Beyond making meat alternatives more appealing, NewTextures helps to reduce the environmental impact of products by skipping traditional texturization processes, which consume high amounts of energy and are often done abroad.
Earlier in the year, Schouten introduced mycoprotein-based products, aiming for a lower environmental footprint and less processing. At the time of the launch, the company also emphasized the reduced land and water usage of mycoprotein production compared to that of soy and beef.
Catering to the preferences of consumers
Schouten Europe was the first Dutch company to develop alternatives to meat using plant proteins, starting in 1990. In an interview with vegconomist, Henk Schouten, the Chairman of Schouten and former General Manager for over 40 years, talks about the company’s dedication to continued innovation, which has led to a broad and diverse product range from beef to chicken to fish.
The company’s portfolio includes “Classics,” which are meat-like alternatives, and products that do not mimic meat sold under the “Variations” line.
“We are confident that Schouten’s NewTextures will be a game changer for both our business partners and end consumers”
The company says both categories are needed to cater to diverse consumer preferences: “Ultimately, we believe that meat substitutes don’t always need to mimic meat. With legumes and vegetables, we can develop excellent protein-rich products that don’t have a meat equivalent. However, to convince true meat lovers to buy meat substitutes more often, the classics are still essential.”
Schouten supplies its products to over 50 countries, primarily under private labels, and customizes products based on client requests.
“We are excited to introduce Schouten’s NewTextures. This new subline within our Classics range is the result of years of research and development. We are confident that Schouten’s NewTextures will be a game changer for both our business partners and end consumers,” said CEO Niek-Jan Schouten.
