French seafood brand Petit Navire (owned by Thai Union) has partnered with microalgae startup ALGAMA Foods to launch a new range of plant-based fish products.
Called Cap Végétal, the range includes canned marinated plant-based fish in the flavours Olives & Oregano, Lemon & Thyme, and Tomatoes & Herbs. The fish alternatives are made from wheat and soy combined with algae oil and sea lettuce, providing a rich source of protein and omega 3.
The range also features two ready-to-eat salads made with the plant-based fish; the first contains bulgur wheat, chickpeas, red peppers, and pumpkin seeds, while the second includes lentils, corn, peas, and peppers. The Cap Végétal products will be available exclusively at Carrefour from this month.
“With nearly three years of research and development, we are proud to unveil this innovation, which is both nutritional and tasteful,” Jon Burton, Director of the Alternative Protein Division of Thai Union Europe, told Linéaires. “We have worked closely with our teams across Europe to develop a recipe that takes into account the specificities of the markets in which we operate. We have also worked with Algama, a pioneering French company in the use of seaweed, to find the right balance. ”
Transforming the seafood category
The launch comes after Thai Union invested in ALGAMA Foods last year, with the intention of growing its alternative protein business to meet sustainability goals. ALGAMA raised a total of €13 million in the round, saying it would use the funding to accelerate the commercialisation of its products, develop new innovations, and open a biorefinery in Belgium.
In 2022, Thai Union formed an alliance with US plant-based seafood brand The ISH Food Company and another seafood giant, Chicken of the Sea. The aim was to use the marketing and distribution channels of the conventional seafood companies to invest in sustainable plant-based alternatives, increasing the availability and affordability of these products for consumers.
Last year, Thai Union introduced a plant-based tuna alternative under another of its brands, 166-year-old UK seafood company John West. The launch was described as a “major milestone”, as it was Thai Union’s first branded alternative protein product.
“There is a huge opportunity to connect with consumers of all ages who pursue a flexitarian lifestyle and we’re very excited to transform the category, while offering our core tuna shoppers the opportunity to try a completely new and delicious fish-free ‘tuna’ experience,” said Arno Snoey, country manager for John West Holland, at the time.
