Kathalfy jackfruit

© Kathalfy

Food & Beverage

India’s Kathalfy Offers Clean-Label Products With Jackfruit as a Hero Ingredient

Kathalfy is an Indian company producing a range of clean-label jackfruit-based products, including pancake mixes, burgers, chips, pickles, and curries. The range is made with organic and minimally processed ingredients; for example, the burgers contain up to 77% jackfruit, combined with red kidney beans, cornstarch, wheat gluten, and natural seasonings. The brand aims to promote conscious living and healthier lifestyles by offering plant-based versions of traditional foods. Kathalfy’s products are shelf-stable and can be stored at ambient temperatures — important for the Indian market, where the infrastructure to transport frozen products is often lacking and many consumers do not have a freezer. “Naturally available resources” Kathalfy was founded by Aman Chhabra, who frequently enjoyed jackfruit throughout his childhood but struggled to find the fruit at …

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ProFuse Technology and Gelatex have partnered to advance cultivated meat production.

© ProFuse Technology

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

ProFuse Technology and Gelatex to Expedite Cultivated Meat by Enhancing Muscle Growth 

Israeli biotech ProFuse Technology, a biotech at the forefront of muscle tissue growth, and Gelatex Technologies, an Estonian materials technology company specializing in nanofibers, have partnered to advance cultivated meat production. The companies have announced that they have been working on a comprehensive solution for optimizing muscle growth that will expand production capacity and expedite the commercial viability of cultivated meat. Using a media supplement developed by ProFuse and Gelatex’s plant-based scaffolds, the companies claim to have reduced the average cycle of chicken muscle growth in just 48 hours and a fivefold increase in muscle protein compared to conventional methods of muscle growth. Guy Nevo Michrowski, CEO of ProFuse Technology, said, “By innovating through collaboration, we are assisting in reshaping the future of meat production. Together, Profuse and Gelatex …

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© Gorilla Lifestyle

Fashion, Design & Beauty

PETA India Reveals Winners of Vegan Fashion Awards 2023

PETA India has announced the winners of its 2023 Vegan Fashion Awards, which recognise brands and designers working to remove animals from the fashion industry. The winners are: Best Vegan Fashion Moment: The Central Leather Research Institute, for developing technology to make vegan leather using mango pulp. Best Vegan Style Icon: Bollywood star Wamiqa Gabbi, for her animal advocacy and leather-free fashion. Best Vegan Sneakers: Gorilla Lifestyle, a vegan streetwear brand targeted at young people. Best Vegan Kids’ Shoes: Aretto, for its leather-free adjustable shoes that can expand up to three sizes as a child grows. The brand has been backed by cricketer Hardik Pandya. Best Vegan Sarees: Swachhata Pukare Foundation, which makes silk-free handloom sarees from fibres extracted from water hyacinths. Best Vegan Personal …

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Wastea makes vegan leather from tea industry waste

© Wastea

Leather Alternatives

Turkish Company Wastea Turns Tea Industry Waste Into Vegan Leather

Wastea is a Turkish company working to transform dry tea industry waste into an animal-free leather alternative. Tea waste has few applications, as its caffeine content is too high to be used in animal feed or the food industry. It is also unsuitable for bio-energy generation, meaning it is usually sent to landfill or incinerated. Wastea has developed a processing method to turn the waste — which includes stems, leaves, and buds — into a sustainable leather alternative that is up to 95% bio-based. The material is available in a variety of colors and can be used in the fashion, automotive, and homeware industries, among others. Turkey is the world’s fourth-largest tea producer, meaning that tea waste is a local and almost limitless resource. Furthermore, …

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Beyond Dumplings

© Beyond Meat

Market & Trends

New Report Highlights Evolving Trends in the Chinese Alt Protein Market in Low-Investment Post-Pandemic Era

A new report on the Chinese alt protein market landscape by Asymmetrics Research highlights a slower rate of investments in the sector (this year) due to difficult fundraising and unfavorable macroeconomic conditions. According to the report, the most recent investment deals have been in cell-based culture and fermentation startups. In its third edition, the new report sets the market context and examines trends across key categories, offering updated information on the quickly evolving market in China’s post-pandemic era. Asymmetrics Research’s 2021 report predicted rapid growth for the alt protein market in China, driven by flexitarianism and health, safety, and sustainability concerns. This year’s report has found that trends for the plant-based category still gravitate around health, with customers looking for discounts, while fermentation and cell-based foods are emerging …

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TurtleTree receives approval to commercialize animal-free lactoferrin in the USA

© TurtleTree

Fermentation

TurtleTree Obtains First-Ever Self-GRAS Status for Precision Fermentation-Derived Lactoferrin

Singaporean biotech TurtleTree claims that it has obtained the world’s first self-GRAS status (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA for a precision fermentation-derived lactoferrin, making it also the first Singaporean company to obtain self-GRAS for a synbio protein. This status confirms that TurtleTree’s animal-free lactoferrin is safe for human consumption, allowing the company to commercialize it in the USA. In May, the company unveiled the protein, branded under L+, claiming it as the world’s first animal-free lactoferrin. TurtleTree announced that it will supply LF+ for infant formulas, plant-based dairy, and sports nutrition products, including protein powders, functional beverages, meal replacement alternatives, and multivitamins, expecting profitability in 2024. The biotech company also announced that multiple clients have shown interest in buying a $500 million value of animal-free lactoferrin …

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Matthew Kenney Cuisine

© Matthew Kenney Cuisine

Food Service

Plant-Based Celebrity Chef Matthew Kenney Expands Plant-Based Food Hall Model to China

Matthew Kenney, plant-based celebrity chef and entrepreneur, has revealed plans to bring his plant-based food hall model to China after the success of Plant City, the “world’s largest vegan dining hall”, in Rhode Island. Boasting a substantial portfolio of plant-based restaurants, including Casa Planta in Costa Rica, Folia in the Middle East, and Plant Food + Wine in the US and Peru, Kenney has been promoting a plant-centric lifestyle on a global scale, currently operating over 50 restaurants around the world. With this latest venture, the chef plans to target markets in China, including Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Macao, and Shenzhen. Each of these establishments will house between 12 and 14 individual restaurants specializing in diverse plant-based cuisines, along with food and lifestyle retail options. Among …

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Food fir Climate Pavilion

© Food4Climate Pavilion

Fairs & Events

Food4Climate Pavilion Returns to COP to “Unlock Potential of Plant-Rich Diets”

For a second time, this year’s COP climate summit will feature pavilions dedicated to food system change, including the Food4Climate pavilion. Led by a coalition of leading plant-based and animal rights organizations, such as ProVeg International, World Animal Protection, and Upfield, the pavilion will spotlight the environmental impact of the food system to delegates from almost 200 countries. It will also outline how food production could be transformed to reach net zero, including through nature-positive farming practices, plant-rich diets, and alternative proteins. The aim is to mainstream the transition towards a more resilient food system, benefiting both the climate and people affected by food insecurity. Delegates will be encouraged to get involved in the pavilion through interactive exhibits, workshops, and presentations. The full programme can …

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A range of plant-based chocolate truffles

© InnovoPro

Fairs & Events

InnovoPro Presents Nutritious Chickpea Solutions for Bakery and Coffee Shop Industries at Fi Europe 2023

Chickpea protein specialist InnovoPro will introduce its latest innovations for the plant-based bakery and coffee shop industries at Fi Europe 2023. Plant-based chocolate truffles boasting 12 grams of protein, egg-free brownies, and a plant-based barista drink specially formulated for stability in low-pH beverages, will debut at the fair to showcase the possibilities of InnovoPro’s chickpea solutions. The NPDs are reportedly made with non-allergenic, gluten- and GMO-free ingredients, adhering to clean-label standards while offering an “indulgent experience” without sacrificing taste. The Israeli company states that since its chickpea protein platform encompasses multiple applications, it has been exploring the “coffee shop experience” to cater to the growing demand for healthy plant-based products in this subcategory. “Consumers are now searching for healthy food and looking for nutritional benefits …

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Smith, founder of Let's Eat Plants, with Prime Minister's award

Image supplied

Company News

Let’s Plant Meat Receives Prestigious Thai Prime Minister’s Export Award

Thailand-based alt meat brand Let’s Plant Meat has received the prestigious Prime Minister’s Export Award in the Best Thai Brand category. Mr. Smith Taweelerdniti, CEO of Let’s Plant Meat and Managing Director of its parent company, Nithi Foods, received the award in person from Prime Minister Mr. Srettha Thavisin. The award ceremony took place on November 9 at the Government House of Thailand. The Prime Minister’s Export Award was established in 1992 and recognizes outstanding Thai exporters. Let’s Plant Meat has received the accolade for exporting its plant-based meat products to several Asian countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, and Hong Kong. “I am honored and excited for the PM Export Award because now plant-based meat alternatives, which are good …

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© Ode to Gaia

Sweets & Snacks

Mumbai’s Ode to Gaia Aims to “Flip the Script on Vegan Patisserie” in India

Ode to Gaia is a fully plant-based patisserie in Mumbai, India. The business aims to “flip the script on vegan patisserie”, offering luxury pastries and desserts that are free of dairy, eggs, and gelatin. Founded in 2019 by Chef Naimita Jagasi, Ode to Gaia uses innovative ingredients to make plant-based versions of complex desserts. This includes a specially developed potato protein-based egg substitute that can be used to stabilize cakes, mousses, and more. The patisserie has also created its own white chocolate alternative made from cashews and cacao butter. Ode to Gaia has a focus on sustainable sourcing, using Fair Trade and locally produced ingredients where possible. The patisserie also works to uplift women through equal-opportunity employment and upskilling. Additionally, Ode to Gaia caters for …

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© Quorn

Investments & Finance

Monde Nissim CEO Provides Financial Support to Quorn from Family Fortune, Confident Growth Will Return

Henry Soesanto, CEO and major shareholder of Monde Nissim Corp., has announced he is to provide financial support for its alternative meat company Quorn via MNSG Holdings, a family business.  In April, Monde Nissin took an impairment charge of over $350 million on Quorn (acquired in 2015) due to the plant-based industry’s headwinds in the UK and globally. Now, Soesanto has pledged to backstop new impairment losses by backing the Quorn with his family’s fortune for the next ten years. The meat-free market is encountering challenges, due to macroeconomic conditions affecting Europe and the USA. However, it is reasonable to assume that growth will come back, he told Inquire.Net.  The news comes only months after Marlow Foods, the parent company of Quorn, launched its ingredients …

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Mycelium bacon on a plate - CellX unveils its mycelium fermentation programme

Image courtesy of CellX

Protein

CellX Ventures into Mycelium Fermentation to Create Proteins for Plant-Based and Hybrid Products

CellX, a biotech that operates China’s largest cultivated and seafood facility, announces a new fermentation program, a parallel venture producing mycelium-derived proteins for alt meat and dairy, functional, and hybrid products.  With this expansion, the company aims to complement its cultivated meat platform and launch sustainable proteins more quickly. “Fermentation and cultivated meat both serve CellX’s vision of providing sustainable protein for everyone,” Operations Manager Liu Yu informs vegconomist.  CellX’s fermentation program has already commenced operations with a pilot-scale production of 10 m3. The company says it is preparing to submit for regulatory approval in China and abroad and is set to introduce its mycelium products into global markets by 2025.  A diverse portfolio of novel proteins The edible fungi strains suitable for fermentation were …

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ADM's new alt protein report identifies four focus factors for the sector's growth

Image courtesy of ADM

Company News

Precision Fermentation CDMO ScaleUp Bio Announces First Customers, Signaling Opportunities for Novel Foods in Asia

ScaleUp Bio, Singapore’s pioneer provider of CDMO services for microbial precision fermentation, announces its first customers, including the Australian food tech company Nourish Ingredients.   Established in 2022 as a joint venture company of ADM and Nurasa, ScaleUp Bio provides a pathway from bench-to-market pipeline and facilitates entry into Asian markets and other regions. ScaleUp Bio’s agreement collaboration with Nourish Ingredients will support 10,000 L of fermentation capacity and 100 L of thermal processing. The Australian company will establish in Singapore a strategic Asia Pacific hub for scaling production of its animal-free fat (Tastilux) for plant-based meat and other applications.  ScaleUp Bio has also signed Letters of Intent with US biotech C16 Biosciences, which produces an alternative to the ubiquitous palm oil to reduce its environmental and carbon footprint; the Malaysian plant-based meat …

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A photo of the Tastilux product.

Image courtesy of Nourish Ingredients

Company News

Nourish Ingredients Establishes Strategic Hub for Animal-Free Fat in Singapore

Australian precision fermentation company Nourish Ingredients has revealed plans to establish its operations in Singapore to accelerate the production of animal-free fats. Just a few weeks ago, the company debuted its new fat Tastilux in a plant-based chicken wing to showcase its capabilities in improving the taste and smell of alternative meats. Nourish Ingredients will produce its flagship ingredient at Nurasa’s Food Tech Innovation Centre (FTIC), which features labs and a shared pilot facility. Nurasa is part of the Singapore government-owned investment accelerator firm Temasek. The Australian food tech has also partnered with ScaleUp Bio, a local CDMO launched by Nurasa and ADM, to support and accelerate its fermentation capacity and to work with the regulatory body, the Singapore Food Authority. Singapore’s regulatory and legal support, its production capabilities, …

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© FUTUREFEAR

Fashion, Design & Beauty

FUTUREFEAR, Founded by Ex-PUMA Designer, Debuts with the “Perfect” Vegan Puffer Jacket FUTUREPUFFER

Hyon Park, a former lead designer for PUMA Women’s, has launched a vegan streetwear brand called FUTUREFEAR in collaboration with his marketer husband, Mark Petrie. Having been initially based in Berlin, the brand has now relocated to the South Korean capital, Seoul, with the founders combining the fashion cultures of the two cities, stating the style is inspired by “the queer- and vegan-friendly Berlin and the quality-driven perfectionism of Seoul”. The FUTUREPUFFER will be available in two varieties — the waist-length SIGNATURE and the knee-length MAXI. Both feature extra-long sleeves, dropped shoulders, and a wide back panel. The jackets are created with sustainable materials, using 3M Thinsulate 100% Recycled Featherless (a down alternative made from post-consumer recycled plastic) for the filling. Recycled nylon from Korean …

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BlueNalu toro

© BlueNalu

Company News

BlueNalu and NEOM Sign MoU to Advance Cell-Cultured Seafood

NEOM, a sustainable regional development initiative in northwest Saudi Arabia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with cell-cultured seafood developer BlueNalu. The partnership seeks to advance the commercialization, marketing, and distribution of BlueNalu’s cell-cultured seafood offerings, aligning with their shared objectives of enhancing food security and promoting access to nutritious food options for global communities. Key objectives outlined in the MoU include: Extending support for establishing an incubation and food innovation ecosystem within Saudi Arabia. Conducting public education and consumer research. Fostering engagement with regulatory bodies to facilitate the approval and sale of novel food products. The formation of this partnership comes on the heels of NEOM’s investment of $20 million into BlueNalu as part of a Series B funding round last month aimed …

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PXB Lifestyle food options

© PXB

Gastronomy & Food Service

Loui Blake Unveils Plant-Based Culinary Concept PXB Lifestyle in Dubai

Celebrating World Vegan Day, entrepreneur Loui Blake, CEO of Miami Foods and seed investor in multiple alt-protein startups, introduces PXB Lifestyle at Expo City’s Sustainability Pavilion in Dubai. PXB Lifestyle aims to go beyond traditional dining by providing a platform for educating consumers about the impacts of a plant-based and vegan lifestyle on personal health and the environment. This dining venue offers a two-tiered experience through PXB Cafe and PXB Restaurant, featuring plant-based menus catering to daytime and evening dining. PXB Cafe’s menu includes notable items like the Carrot Lox Bagel and Katsu Rice, with dessert options like the Raw Carrot Cake. PXB Restaurant, situated on the top floor, offers a more refined rooftop dining experience with an impressive backdrop of Expo City. The menu …

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Ai Zhi Wei oat latte

© Carrefour Taiwan

Politics & Law

Taiwanese Government Establishes Plant Milk Research and Development Center

Taiwan’s Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI) has established a Plant Milk Research and Development Center to develop plant-based milk products in partnership with the drink company Ai Zhi Wei, as reported by Taiwan News.  Other goals of the new center include the improvement of Taiwan’s supply chain of raw and semi-processed agricultural for plant-based and exploring biotechnology to develop protein-rich milk alternatives with enhanced nutritional value. Ai Zhi Wei, owned by the Nice Group, is a famous brand in the country that offers beverages, including a wide range of cold teas and oat, peanut, soy, and walnut milk dairy products. At the innovation center, the company will combine its extensive experience in the beverage industry with the scientists at FIRDI to create innovative and nutritious plant-based milk products …

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Berjaya Foods

© SALA/Berjaya Foods

Company News

Malaysia’s Berjaya Food to Offer Innovative Plant-Based Products Amid Growing Demand

Malaysia’s Berjaya Food, which operates several retail and restaurant chains in the country, has announced plans to offer more vegan products in response to an increasing trend towards plant-based diets. Berjaya Food operates all Starbucks stores in Malaysia, and says it has already added healthier plant-based options to the chain’s menu. The company also has a Latin-inspired vegan restaurant called SALA, which offers dishes such as burritos, tacos, burgers, and chili. Under its Jollibean Foods brand, Berjaya Food offers traditional Malaysian food and drink, with freshly made non-GMO soy milk as the signature product. Additionally, the company owns Kelava, a producer of premium and handcrafted coconut-based vegan ice cream. Moving forward, Berjaya Food says it will work to introduce more innovative plant-based products across its …

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