Neil McCluskey of Kerry

Neil McCluskey © Kerry

Opinion

Op Ed: Neil McCluskey, Textured Plant Proteins Global Director at Kerry, Explains the Consumer Trends Driving Innovation in Alt Protein

Neil McCluskey, Textured Plant Proteins Global Product Director at Kerry, here outlines key consumer trends driving innovation in alternative proteins, including the demand for healthier, sustainable, and clean-label products. While traditional proteins like soy, pea, and wheat still prevail, there is a shift toward more sustainable and performance-oriented sources, explains McCluskey, noting that the US market faces particular challenges due to a significant price premium on plant-based options. From his point of view, the industry is undergoing consolidation, with successful products focusing on taste, texture, and repeat purchases, while new protein sources like mycoprotein are coming to prominence. Exploring New Protein Sources to Meet Consumer Demands By Neil McCluskey, Kerry / Oojah BV Consumer trends driving innovation in alternative proteins include rising demand for healthier, …

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Nestlé and Clextral revoke patent for Ojah's plant protein tech at EPO

© Ojah

Politics & Law

Ojah’s Patent for Transforming Plant Proteins Into Meat Revoked Following Nestlé Appeal

Following an appeal by Nestlé and Clexrtal, the EPO Boards of Appeal (the department of final instance in proceedings before the European Patent Office) have revoked a patent belonging to Dutch alt meat producer Ojah BV this April. Ojah’s patent covers a technology to transform plant-based proteins, such as soy, into meat-like structures.  Clextral is a French machine manufacturer, an expert in twin-screw technology, offering design and testing of industrial solutions, equipment manufacturing, on-site installation maintenance, and improvement services. Big Food conglomerate Nestlé has a broad plant-based portfolio including, Wunda, Garden Gourmet, Plant-Based Milo, Vuna, Vrimp, and Veggie Eggs, among others. The European Patent Office Opposition Division upheld Ojah’s patent in amended form during proceedings in March 2021, with Nestlé and the French company Clextral …

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Ojah to double production capacity

CEO Frank Giezen. © Ojah

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Dutch Alt Meat Producer Ojah to Double Production Capacity Due to Strong Demand

Netherlands-based Ojah has announced that it will significantly expand its production facilities, as demand for the company’s meat alternatives continues to rise. The expansion will almost double production capacity, with manufacturing set to take place around the clock. Ojah is also said to be investigating ways to expand globally. The company claims that its patented technology, which is based on high-moisture extrusion, produces premium products with high consumer acceptance. Made from just two ingredients — plant protein and water — Ojah’s meat alternatives are available in a range of formats, including chunks, strips, and tenders. “Highest quality standard” In 2019, Ojah launched what it claimed were the world’s first vegan ribs, made with a newly developed texture called Heppi. Produced using yellow pea protein, the …

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