Circular Economy

Producing upcycled broccoli protein

© upp
Agriculture / Agribusiness

Upp Raises £500K for AI-Harvested Upcycled Broccoli Protein

UK agritech specialist upp has secured £500,000 from impact investor Elbow Beach Capital. The funding will be used to pilot upp’s unique technology for producing upcycled broccoli protein. The UK is a major broccoli producer, but currently the crop must be hand-harvested by seasonal workers. With these increasingly scarce due to factors such as Brexit and the pandemic, many farmers are struggling. Additionally, 80% of the broccoli plant — including the stem, leaves, and root — is currently wasted, despite being food-grade. Upp has set out to solve both of these issues. The company has developed a new type of harvesting equipment that uses cameras and machine learning to detect when a plant is ready, even if it is partially obscured. A tractor-towed tool, which …

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phool's women employees sitting on the grown working with colourful flowers

@ Phool.co FB
Leather Alternatives

Fleather: Vegan Leather from Upcycled Temple Flowers

Phool is an Indian biomaterial company based in Kanpur that has developed a vegan leather alternative to animal skin using discarded temple flowers. The animal-free material, called Fleather, is a versatile textile containing chitin, a protein that gives it the same delicate and smooth touch as skin leather, explains the upcycling company. Phool was founded in 2017 by Ankit Agarwal and Prateek Kumar to offer a sustainable solution to the toxic floral waste dumped in the Ganges river. Since its establishment, the company has converted flower waste into charcoal-free incense and oily fragrances. The company upcycles tons of floral waste annually and creates valuable employment opportunities for families and female ‘flowercyclers” from the area. In 2021, Fleather won PETA India’s Best Innovation in Vegan Fashion Award, and recently, …

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protein made from upcycled brewer's yeast

© Yeasty
Investments & Acquisitions

France’s Yeasty Raises €1.4M for Alt Protein Made From Upcycled Brewer’s Yeast

Paris-based startup Yeasty has raised €1.4 million in pre-seed funding for its sustainable protein derived from upcycled brewer’s yeast. The round was led by Asterion Ventures, with participation from Satgana and Caméléon Invest. Yeasty plans to use the funding to produce samples on an industrial scale, and by 2025, the company hopes to build a site with a capacity of 5,000 tons per year. Production process Yeasty takes brewer’s yeast, a byproduct of beer production, and uses a proprietary process to remove the bitterness that has previously prevented the ingredient from being widely used. The yeast is then made into a flour that is suitable for a range of applications, including alt protein products, pet food, and sports and medical nutrition. Yeast-based protein Worldwide, other …

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Handtmann show to shopper

© Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
Company News

German Manufacturer Handtmann Upcycles Trade Fair Banners Into Shopping Bags

The family-owned company Handtmann, of Biberach, Germany, says it has been committed to developing alternatives in food processing and resource-conserving product concepts for over two decades. This includes hybrid, vegan and vegetarian products. Handtmann regularly exhibits its machine solutions and food concepts at numerous events and trade fairs. The company explains how it has upcycled its trade fair banners as part of its sustainability strategy; the Handtmann “FROM SHOW TO SHOPPER” project converts the trade fair banners into shopping bags in an upcycling process developed by RECICLAGE, a textiles company specialising in this field. The manufacturer produces its handmade products at its headquarters in Alzenau. “Our mission is to create unique one-of-a-kind items from recycled materials and to thus ensure a responsible use of resources,” …

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LOCI Red Sneakers

©LØCI

Non-Food

LØCI Raises £4M From Leonardo DiCaprio and More for Ocean Plastic Sneakers

British sneaker brand LØCI announces it has raised a £4 million seed round from high-profile investors including actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio. According to the fashion label, the investment from DiCaprio will help amplify its mission of making sustainable fashion more accessible and affordable.  Founded in April 2021, LØCI (pronounced “low-key”) produces vegan, biodegradable shoes that are crafted from certified recycled ocean plastic. Upon its launch, the brand achieved seven figures in sales in its first year, and has since expanded into 26 global markets, partnering with top retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.  LØCI counts Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, Olivia Wilde and Eva Longoria among its celebrity fans, which has helped propel the 15-month-old brand to global fame and popularity. LØCI says …

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More Foods alt meat

©More Foods
Startups, Accelerators & Incubators

FoodValley Challenge Seeks Nutritious and Upcycled Plant-Based Products

International sustainable food organisation Foodvalley NL has launched a new challenge for startups developing nutritious and upcycled plant-based products. Foodvalley is seeking the next generation of plant-based foods to help feed a fast-growing global population. According to the organisation, while many alt-protein products have excellent taste and structure, their nutritional value could be improved. Additionally, there are several food industry sidestreams — such as wheat byproducts and press-cakes from vegetable oil production — that could potentially be used to make plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, reducing waste. These byproducts are often protein-rich, high in fibre, and low in sugar, making them nutritious as well as sustainable. Startups applying for the challenge should ideally meet both criteria, producing plant-based proteins that are nutritious and contain upcycled …

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Flinders University kelp

©Flinders University

Market & Trends

Whole Foods Market Names Kelp, Dates and Non-Dairy Milk Pulp as Top 2023 Food Trends

Whole Foods Market has released its eighth annual food trend predictions for the upcoming year. Compiling insights from over 50 Whole Foods team members, including culinary experts and regional and global buyers, the retail chain has identified nondairy milk pulp, kelp and dates as some of the biggest plant-based trends for 2023.  Nondairy milk sales continue to soar, and social media influencers are exploring new ways to make use of by-products from soy, oat and almond milk production. As TikTok creators discover inventive ways to upcycle leftovers from nut and seed-based milks, brands such as Renewal Mill are releasing baking mixes made with upcycled milk pulp, such as okara flour. Whole Foods also plans to release oatmeal chocolate chip cookies made from upcycled oats in …

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new vegan leather seat head covers made by Toray

© Toray
Tourism & Travel

Japanese Airline ANA to Adopt Toray’s Ultrasuede Alt Leather

Eco-materials manufacturer Toray recently revealed that its new upgraded vegan leather Ultrasuede will be used to make the headrest covers of Japanese airline All Nippon Airways’ Green Jet seats. Toray is a general materials manufacturer focusing on developing 100% plant-derived polyesters to achieve a carbon-neutral, circular economy not dependent on fossil resources. In 2015, the company launched the first commercial production of its Ultrasuede vegan leather made using plant-based recycled resources as part of its raw materials. Starting this November, the modern version of  Ultrasuede will debut in ANA’s Green Jets interior cabins in green colour. ANA claims to be the first Japanese airline to use vegan leather for seat headrest covers as a sustainable material. ANA chose to work with Toray’s Ultrasuede because the …

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UNLIMEAT-upcycled-food-low

© UNLIMEAT
Products & Launches

UNLIMEAT Plant-Based Meat Gyudon Now Available at 450 Sukiya Restaurants in China

Sukiya, a global chain restaurant specializing in Japanese gyudon, is now serving UNLIMEAT’s Plant Energy Don Series at all of its restaurants in China. UNLIMEAT is a South Korean brand focused on developing alternative plant-based meat using a percentage of upcycled products in its production process, thus contributing to food waste reduction. Nine months ago, UNLIMEAT partnered with the restaurant chain to introduce its plant-based meat gyudon at 15 locations. Following the success of the menu items, both parties decided to expand the offer to all the restaurant chain locations in China, with the expansion coming into effect on September 15th. The Energy Don Series The Plant Energy Don is a plant-based version of gyudon, made with UNLIMEAT’s plant-based Korean BBQ meat. Gyudon is a …

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new alternative milk by wunderkern

© Wunderkern
Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Alt Milk Made With Upcycled Apricot Kernels is Most Sold Product at BILLA Vegan Superstore

Austrian food tech startup Wunderkern recently announced the launch of its ‘never seen before’ Kern Milk made with apricot kernels.  Wunderkern says that the innovative alt milk “recently entered the competitive alternative drink market with a big bang. Promoted within the new “Pflanzilla” concept by Billa, it quickly turned into customer success and became the most sold product within the vegan store. The drink’s super nutty flavor perfectly harmonizes with sweet dishes such as Kaiserschmarren and inspires people to interpret local classics in a vegan way.” Founded in 2019 by Michael Beitl, Luca Fichtinger, Fabian Wagesreither, and Sebastian Jeschko, Wunderkern aims to be a circular economy business using the wasted stone fruit pits from other industries. Earlier this year, Wunderkern made news when it trialled …

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Packaging made with upcycled waste vegetables

© Anina
Investments & Acquisitions

Upcycled Food Innovator Anina Launches Line of Ready Meals

Israeli food tech startup Anina announces the launch of its newly developed ready-to-go plant-based meals made with upcycled vegetables. The round was led by Strauss Group, The Kitchen Hub, Unovis, Unorthodox Ventures, AgFunder VC, Wordcreate Inc., and the Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA). Anat Natan, Meydan Levy, and Esti Brantz founded Anina in 2020 to find new ways to improve efficiency, prevent waste, and reunite consumers with nutritious foods. The company claims it has developed a unique patented technology that forms flexible laminated sheets from fresh upcycled vegetables enabling them to create different shapes and, thus, culinary food art that consumers can add to the experience of eating a quick meal.  Earlier this year, Anina made news when it announced the development of its plant-based ready meals …

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okara in bowl

© Caito - stock.adobe.com
Cheese Alternatives

Former Shell Director Set to Develop Cheese Made From Upcycled Okara

A Singapore food partnership between Republic Polytechnic (RP) and Hafnium Ventures subsidiary SoiLabs is aiming to develop soy cheese made from the upcycled soy by-product okara using proprietary technology. Hafnium Ventures Hafnium Ventures and Republic Polytechnic (RP) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the former injecting US$144,000 of capital towards the initiative. Hafnium Ventures, the foodtech division of investment company Hafnium Hafaway, is the parent company of SoiLabs. Hafnium Hafaway is known for favouring startups in food technology, natural materials, and specialty chemicals sectors. According to The PEAK, when the former Shell senior executive Francis Tan launched the private equity firm Hafnium Hafaway with his co-founders in 2017, he focused on companies in the chemical sector. However, as he started to deal with …

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Founders Jordy and Julia Kay. © Great Wrap
Sustainability / Environment

Great Wrap Develops Compostable Cling Wrap Made From Potato Waste

Australian materials science company Great Wrap has used potato waste to develop home compostable cling wrap. The company was founded by husband and wife team Jordy and Julia Kay, who set out to disrupt reliance on petroleum-based plastics. They found a way to divert potato waste from landfill and create a wrap that breaks down into carbon and water in under 180 days. Last month, Great Wrap raised $24 million in its Series A funding round, with investors including Groundswell Ventures, Springbank Collective, and Trail Mix Ventures. This will allow the company to set up a biorefinery with the capacity to manufacture 30,000 tons of wrap by the end of next year. If this target is achieved, Great Wrap will be Australia’s largest cling wrap …

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©Wunderkern
Products & Launches

Circular Economy: Wunderkern Develops Ice Cream From Stone Fruit Pits

Austrian food tech startup Wunderkern has released a circular economy-driven gourmet line derived from stone fruit pits. Wunderkern’s cold-pressed oils and chocolate spread are made from the long-forgotten natural raw material of stone fruit pits, including apricot, cherry, and plum. In order to showcase the startup’s vegan and sustainable innovations, Wunderkern has produced three trial ice cream flavors from its fruit pit oils, a more sustainable alternative to the almonds most commonly used in vegan ice creams. The sustainable ice cream alternatives were successfully trialed at this month’s “Everything Apricot” festival in Austria. The company’s approach is to take unsustainable products and create newer and thus more sustainable variations without sacrificing flavor. Founded to create change and counteract waste in the food industry, Wunderkern has …

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Magnum and Iris van Herpen collaboration

© Magnum/Iris van Herpen
Non-Food

Magnum and Iris van Herpen Create First Ever Vegan Haute Couture Dress

Magnum and Iris van Herpen have joined forces to create what is claimed to be the first ever vegan haute couture dress. Inspired by Magnum Vegan ice cream, the dress is made with upcycled cocoa bean husks. Through processing, these husks can be transformed into an entirely organic biopolymer material. Van Herpen has used this material to develop an intricate three-dimensional design enhanced with upcycled organza and copper-coated embellishments. Magnum said the collaboration was part of the company’s ambition to lessen its impact on the world. The dress was modelled by French supermodel Cindy Bruna at Paris Fashion Week. Upcycled fashion A growing number of fashion brands are looking to improve their sustainability through the use of upcycled materials. These include Germany’s Revoltech, which has …

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Chinova Bioworks

Co-founders David Brown and Natasha Dhayagude ©Chinova Bioworks
Investments & Finance

Chinova Closes $6M Series A to Expand Chiber – A Novel Preservative Made from Upcycled Mushrooms

Canadian food tech startup Chinova Bioworks announces it has secured $6M in Series A funding to expand production of Chiber™– a novel clean-label preservative extracted from mushrooms. The funding will also be used to grow Chinova’s team, create new products and enhance its production capabilities on Prince Edward Island.  Derived from the stems of upcycled white mushrooms, Chiber is a natural, allergen-free fiber that helps improve the quality, freshness and shelf-life of a wide variety of foods. It can be incorporated into plant-based meats and dairy, as well as baked goods, beverages and sauces, the company states. In the application of dairy-free yogurt, the startup says Chiber is the first clean-label ingredient that protects probiotic cultures and inhibits spoilage. Reducing waste To source its mushrooms, …

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lovr-team Montgomery Wagner, Lucas Fuhrmann and Julian Mushövel Image LOVR Revoltech

Montgomery Wagner, Lucas Fuhrmann and Julian Mushövel. Image: LOVR / Revoltech
Leather Alternatives

Revoltech Closes Seed Round for LOVR Alt Leather Made of Upcycled Hemp Waste Materials

German startup Revoltech announces it has closed a seven-figure seed round for leather substitute LOVR, made of hemp fibres from the leftover residues of CBD products. The funds will bring the 100% biodegradable, plastic-free and climate-neutral material to market. LOVR stands for “leather-like-without plastic-vegan-residue-based” and was developed with the goal of transforming the leather industry by introducing a truly sustainable material made from agricultural waste. Its production is based on the principles of the circular economy and does not involve the use of chemicals. Revoltech, founded in 2021 by Lucas Fuhrmann, Julian Mushövel and Montgomery Wagner, has signed a joint investment agreement with b.value AG, BMH Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen mbH and HEAG. The seven-figure seed investment will be used to develop operations and expand production of …

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Mycorena’s mycelium-based protein Promyc

© Mycorena
Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Lantmännen Enters Strategic Venture with Mycorena for Sweden’s Mycoprotein Future

Lantmännen Cerealia, the Swedish agricultural giant, is entering into a partnership with mycelium-based protein food tech Mycorena. With the stated ambition of developing future mycoprotein foods for the Nordic market, the strategic venture will focus on upcycling food waste to create fungi-based protein sources and ingredients. Lantmännen – Swedish for “the farmers” – is a Swedish agricultural cooperative owned by over 19,000 Swedish farmers with operations in over 20 countries and an annual turnover of over €4.5 billion. The cooperative owns several food brands, such as AXA and Kungsörnen, and after jointly developing prototypes with Mycorena is now looking towards the growing alt protein sector.  Mycorena – a fellow Swedish company – develops mycelium-based protein from upcycled food waste, hence the synergy with Lantmännen as …

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hands_grapes CrushDynamics

© CrushDynamics
Investments & Finance

Canada’s CrushDynamics Raises $3.6M to Upcycle Wine Industry Waste For Alt Protein

CrushDynamics, formerly Winecrush Technology Inc, contacts vegconomist to report it has raised $3.6 million in Seed 2 financing.  The British Colombia based company is upcycling grape derivatives to produce nutritious plant-based foods. Interestingly, CrushDynamics reports that it has partnered with Protein Industry Canada, Lumi Foods and Save-On-Foods in an “initiative to create the next generation of plant-based cheese using Canadian-grown oats, legumes and pulses.” The company’s mission is to turn high quality,  grape derivative material into healthy foods, stating that discarded grape pomace, even after pressing during the winemaking process, is still exceptionally rich in phenolic compounds, fiber, and antioxidant properties. After working with some of the leading wine scientists in Canada, CrushDynamics is pioneering a new, proprietary process for transforming these derivatives into valuable …

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More Foods alt meat

©More Foods
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Israel’s More Foods Develops Next-Gen Alt Meat from Upcycled Seeds

Israeli start-up More Foods is set to launch an innovative new alt meat product made from upcycled pumpkin and sunflower seeds. More Foods claims its textured products provide a similar mouth feel to that associated with dark meats. Founded two years ago by CEO Leonardo Marcovitz, More Foods’ patent-pending technology allows it to use cast-away fragments of “superfood” seeds produced while making pumpkin seed oil and sunflower seed oil. The Tel Aviv-based company actively works on incorporating other under-utilized ingredients from the food industry to make alternative protein foods.  Working with chefs to assist the direction of development for the company’s products, More Foods focuses on an understandable and short ingredients list, high in protein and fiber, as well as containing no major allergens. The …

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