Expansion

Better Balance, Sigma's global plant-based food brand, announced the launch of its popular Better Dog at all Gelson's Markets locations across Los Angeles County.

Image courtesy of Better Balance
Retail & E-Commerce

Better Balance’s Gluten & Soy-Free Plant-Based Dogs Hit Gelson’s 27 Locations in LA County

Better Balance, Sigma‘s global plant-based food brand, announces the launch of its latest release — the Better Dog — at all 27 Gelson’s Markets locations across Los Angeles County, from Santa Barbara to Pacific Beach. The Better Dog is a gluten and soy-free alternative made from pea protein. The brand claims that it has quickly become a favorite among consumers and industry experts for its superior taste and texture. The product earned various accolades after its initial launch in Spain in 2022 and its US debut in Chicago’s foodservice scene this February. Gelson’s will offer two SKUs: the Jumbo pack, featuring two extra-long hot dogs, and the Classic, a five-pack of traditional-sized hot dogs. Ana Guerra, Head of US for Better Balance, shares, “As we …

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The PHW Group will establish a new subsidiary focusing on traditional and precision fermentation to develop ingredients for alternative products.

© PHW Group
Fermentation

Poultry Giant PHW Enters Precision Fermentation Ingredients With New Subsidiary 

PHW Group, the largest poultry producer in Germany known for the Wiesenhof brand, will establish a new subsidiary later this year, focusing on traditional and precision fermentation to develop ingredients for alternative protein and blended products. The firm, which has invested millions in its plant-based meat brand Green Legend, intends to integrate plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation technologies under its roof to position itself as a critical player in the sector. As part of this expanding strategy, the company launched an ingredients platform in 2023 and recently invested in the Dutch company Mosa Meat, which focuses on cultivated beef and fats. “It is going to be a core technology” Marcus Keitzer, Board Member for Alternative Proteins at the PHW Group, told Cultivated X, “Precision fermentation technology …

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Germany’s Kaufland, a hypermarket chain operational since 1984 that offers a comprehensive range of plant-based alternatives, is expanding its brand K-take it veggie lineup to over 100 different items.

© Kaufland
Products & Launches

Kaufland Adds Vegan Parmesan & Salmon to Lineup, Expands Range to Over 100 Items

German hypermarket chain Kaufland announces an expansion of its brand K-Take it Veggie to offer approximately 20% more items, now reaching over 100 vegan products. The new SKUs include Parmesan cheese, salmon, and cheese sticks, adding new consumer options to support plant-based nutrition. According to Kaufland, one in five Germans is interested in a vegan diet, and more than 1.5 million people in Germany are already living a vegan lifestyle. The trend is rising, and the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, is even trying to address the country’s all-time low meat consumption by suggesting new market opportunities. “With K-Take it Veggie, we want to offer our customers plant-based products that are suitable for every taste and every day, and also inspire them to …

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Cultivated seafood startup Umami Bioworks and India’s IKP Knowledge Park, a premium Science Park and Incubator India, have announced a partnership to accelerate the production of cultivated seafood.

© IKP Knowledge Park
Cultivated Seafood

Cultivated Seafood Pioneer UMAMI Bioworks Sets Foot in India with IKP Partnership

Cultivated seafood startup UMAMI Bioworks, (previously Umami Meats) has announced a partnership with India’s premium Science Park and Incubator, IKP Knowledge Park, to accelerate the production of cultivated seafood. IKP has recently established the Centre for Smart Protein and Sustainable Material Innovation in Bangalore, which facilitates core R&D, innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange for the smart protein sector. At the centre, UMAMI Bioworks’ team in India will lead the engineering and validation of the company’s plug-and-play manufacturing hardware, supporting tech transfer from their demonstration line to customer sites. Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairman and CEO of IKP Knowledge Park, welcomed UMAMI Bioworks and expressed excitement about the novel technology platform it brings to the smart protein ecosystem. She shared, “This collaboration will not only accelerate Umami’s growth …

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Made With Plants launches at Coles

© Made With Plants
Retail & E-Commerce

Australia’s Made With Plants Expands Into 500+ Coles Stores

Made With Plants, an Australian company producing meat and dairy alternatives, has announced it is expanding into over 500 Coles stores across the country. Coles customers can now purchase Made With Plants’ plant-based bacon, chicken, ham, and grated mozzarella. The ham and chicken are made from seitan, the bacon is soy-based, and the mozzarella is made from sunflower and coconut oils. Coles previously told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2022 that it was working to offer more plant-based options, after seeing a “rise in the flexitarian and people seeking out alternative protein sources”. A report published in May found that plant-based meat sales surged by 47% in Australia and New Zealand between 2020 and 2023, noting that the price gap between conventional meat and plant-based …

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Bored Cow's milk original flavor

© Bored Cow
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Bored Cow Celebrates Major Expansion as Animal-Free Milk Reaches All 50 US States

Tomorrow Farms‘ consumer brand, Bored Cow, has reached a significant milestone in its national expansion: its animal-free milk range — Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Original — has launched in 2000+ additional stores and is now available in all 50 US states.  The expansion includes the introduction of a new 11-oz format for the Original flavor and new 4-pack mini cartons. Recently, Bored Cow added a range of animal-free yogurts in strawberry, vanilla, and passion fruit mango flavors to its lineup of animal-free dairy made with fermented proteins.  When Bored Cow launched two years ago, the products were only available through the company’s website. Later, in 2023, the brand hit a major milestone by securing listings in Sprouts Farmers Market. Then, the products gradually reached thousands of …

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Dodo Vegan Hut's team

© Dodo Vegan Hut
Food & Beverage

Dodo Vegan Hut Sees Success with Wholesome & Halal-Certified Frozen Food Lineup

After identifying a gap in the market for convenient and healthy vegan food products, Manimegalai Parry founded Dodo Vegan Hut in 2022 in Penang, Malaysia. With only two years in business, the company, supported by an all-women team, plans to widen its distribution channels and scale operations to expand locally and internationally through strategic investments and partnerships.  Initially operating from a commercial kitchen in Bayan Lepas, Dodo Vegan Hut acquired a production facility in Simpang Ampat at the end of 2023 to expand its operations. Parry recently told the Malaysiakini that the popularity of plant-based foods has surged due to increasing awareness of health, environmental, and ethical concerns. In addition, in April 2024, Dodo Vegan Hut successfully achieved JAKIM’s Halal certification, broadening its market reach among …

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Dreamfarm almond-based cheese

© Dreamfarm
Cheese Alternatives

Italy’s Dreamfarm Launches Innovative Almond-Based Cheeses in Germany

Italian startup Dreamfarm has announced that its almond-based cheese alternatives are launching in Germany. The cheeses will initially be available at Edeka stores in Berlin, and may later launch at restaurants and pizzerias. The news comes less than two months after Dreamfarm expanded to Delhaize stores in Belgium, following an “incredibly positive” reception in Italy. A launch in the Netherlands is also said to be on the cards. The startup’s rapid expansion has been made possible by a €5 million investment from food industry entrepreneurs Giampaolo Cagnin and Francesco Mutti, which has also allowed for the establishment of a new production facility. Dreamfarm aims to provide a healthier alternative to other plant-based cheeses on the market. While many cheese alternatives are made predominantly from coconut …

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Vegan calamari rings on a plate

© Vrave
Products & Launches

Spanish Seafood Producer Aguinamar Partners with Vrave to Launch Vegan Calamari in Major Retailers

In another collaboration between a traditional food company and a food startup, the Spanish seafood producer Angulas Aguinaga Group, via its brand Aguinamar, has partnered with Grin Grin Foods (which recently rebranded to Vrave) to launch its first plant-based product, Aros de Mar, a vegan calamari. With Aros de Mar, Aguinamar is adding a vegan option to its lineup of easy-to-prepare seafood products, expanding into the growing plant-based seafood category. The new alternative will be available in Carrefour and Alcampo at the end of April. The product is konjac-based, providing quality and texture to the calamari alternative while offering a good amount of fiber and a few kilocalories. It is suitable for pan frying, baking, or air frying, allowing it to obtain a crunchy and firm texture. Konjac …

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JULIENNE BRUNO artisan vegan cheeses launch at Coop Switzerland

© JULIENNE BRUNO
Cheese Alternatives

Artisan Vegan Cheese Brand JULIENNE BRUNO Expands to Switzerland with Updated Packaging

UK-based artisan vegan cheese brand JULIENNE BRUNO has announced an expansion to Switzerland, rolling out at hundreds of Coop stores across the country. The brand’s burrata alternative, Burrella, will be available at 375 Coop locations, while its stracciatella alternative, Superstraccia, has gained listings at 170 stores. Both products are award-winning — Burrella won the Dairy Alternative Innovation category at last year’s World Dairy Innovation Awards, while Superstraccia has received a Great Taste Award. This is JULIENNE BRUNO’s first international launch, with further market expansion planned in the coming months. The brand is also developing a new product range called Collection 02. New packaging In the meantime, JULIENNE BRUNO has relaunched its Collection 01 (featuring Burrella, Superstraccia, and the cream cheese alternative Crematta) with updated packaging. …

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A photo of a fished Atlantic salmon

© BLUU Seafood - Anna Brauns

Company News

BLUU Seafood Expands Cultivated Fish Production in Preparation for Market Entry, Predicts Price Parity With Fish Within 3 Years

Europe’s largest cultivated seafood biotech, the German startup BLUU Seafood, announces that it has officially inaugurated its first pilot plant in Hamburg-Altona.   The new facility boasts 2,000 m2 of space dedicated to research, production, and office use for its 35 employees. It includes state-of-the-art cell and molecular biology labs, process development areas, and a test kitchen for food applications. At the new plant, the company will initially operate 65 L bioreactors, with the potential to expand to 2,000 L to scale to industrial production as it prepares for market entry. The startup initially operated on a small scale in a laboratory setting in Lübeck, using stem-cell technology to establish GMO-free fish cell lines to grow muscle, fat, and connective tissue from Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout …

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Ivy Farm Gyoza dish

© Ivy Farm

Cultivated Meat

BSF Enterprise and Ivy Farm Partner to Produce Cultivated Meat in China

Two UK firms, BSF Enterprise, owner of the UK clinical and cell ag company 3D Bio-Tissues (3DBT), and the cultivated meat company Ivy Farm Technologies, have partnered to fundraise, produce, and scale cultivated meat in China. BSF Enterprise (LSE: BSFA) (OTCQB: BSFAF) announced that the commercial agreement involves securing investment to help Ivy Farm enter the Chinese market and find key manufacturers to develop various cultivated meat products. Last year, BSF Enterprise formed a separate entity (BSF HK) and opened an office in Hong Kong to develop a distribution and partner network to commercialize its products and launch cultivated meat in the country. China consumes over 100 million tons of meat (with pork as the preferred meat), which is more than a quarter of global meat consumption, representing a …

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Hooked plant-based seafood range launches in Germany

© Hooked
Products & Launches

Hooked Launches Plant-Based Seafood Range at Hundreds of German Stores

Swedish plant-based seafood brand Hooked has expanded beyond the Nordic countries for the first time, announcing a launch at hundreds of REWE West stores in Germany. The expansion has been made possible by a partnership with leading sales agent Ooha, which will allow Hooked to launch at anywhere between 250 and 500 REWE stores. The product range will include plant-based salmon, tuna, and seafood spreads, all made using high-moisture extrusion technology. The launch comes as Germany increasingly gains a reputation as Europe’s biggest plant-based market; data published earlier this year revealed that the country’s meat consumption is at a record low, while consumption of plant-based foods is at a record high. “A growing demand” Hooked raised the capital to fuel the expansion in June, through …

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From L to R: Andrew Gray, Director at Co-Labs; Paul Bevan, founder and CEO of Magic Valley; and Samuel Wines, co-founder at Co-Labs

From L to R: Andrew Gray, Director at Co-Labs; Paul Bevan, founder and CEO of Magic Valley; and Samuel Wines, co-founder at Co-Labs © Magic Valley
Cultivated Meat

Magic Valley Partners with Co-Labs to Increase Production Capacity for Cultivated Meat

Australian cultivated meat company Magic Valley has announced that it will amplify its production by expanding its operations to an advanced pilot facility at Co-Labs, an innovation hub and co-working laboratory based in Melbourne. With this strategic decision, the company aims to increase its production capacity to 3,000-litre bioreactors, aiming to reach 150,000 kg of product annually. Additionally, according to the company, the new pilot facility will reinforce its dedication to sustainability by enhancing product innovation and efficiency. The news follows a collaboration with Biocellion SPC, a US software developer and computer modeling company, to drive advancements in bioreactor technology and scale the production of cultivated meat at lower costs. At the forefront of sustainability Magic Valley claims it has developed a scalable platform to grow any type of meat, including cultivated …

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Foi Green, Aberyne's plant-based foie gras made with cashews.

© Aberyne
Company News

Aberyne Announces Expansion in Europe and USA to Offer the “Best Plant-Based Foie Gras” Before Christmas

Foi Green, Aberyne‘s plant-based foie gras made with cashews, acclaimed by the three Michelin star chef Albert Adrià, will arrive at vegan and gourmet shops in Spain, the UK, and Switzerland, just in time for Christmas, Mikel Abeberry, the founder of Aberyne tells vegconomist.  Additionally, he shared that Aberyne will launch Foi Green in gourmet shops in the USA before the holidays; the company signed an agreement with a nationwide US distributor, marking the company’s first overseas expansion. Moreover, Aberyne has launched a Kickstarter campaign to establish a commercial office and get a foothold in the US, one of the most dynamic plant-based food markets, Abeberry said.  Foie gras, a staple of haute cuisine traditionally eaten at Christmas, is no longer a seasonal delicacy, with more consumers using …

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Neat Burger

© Neat Burger
Fast Food

Neat Burger Continues its Epic Expansion with First-Ever Italian Location

The UK vegan fast food chain Neat Burger, backed by the famous animal and environmental activists Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, has gained media attention in Italy. As revealed by local newspapers, the first-ever Neat Burger in Italy will open its doors in Milan on November 15, 2023. The new restaurant will be inside Merlata Bloom, a newly opened mega mall in Cascina Merlata, a district of the Northern city. The chain will offer its popular menu of plant-based versions of all-American classics, including burgers, shakes, wraps, and sandwiches. However, to make it more local, the chain will introduce Italian products, such as pesto and mozzarella, said Italy24. Moreover, according to Green Me, the Milanese eatery will feature table service, taking inspiration …

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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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Wicked Kitchen launches at Asda stores

© Wicked Kitchen
Retail & E-Commerce

Wicked Kitchen Expands to Asda Stores UK-Wide in “Major Milestone”

Plant-based brand Wicked Kitchen has announced a major UK retail expansion, with a selection of its meat alternatives now available at national supermarket chain Asda. The products on offer include Jalapeño Griller Patties, Italian-Inspired Amazeballs, and Chorizo-Style Bangers. Asda says the launch aligns with its Creating Change for the Better strategy, which aims to promote a more sustainable future. Wicked Kitchen first launched in the UK in 2018, originally available exclusively at Tesco stores. Sales were so high that the range was quickly doubled, and continued to expand over the following years. Over 150 Wicked Kitchen products are now available; these include meat alternatives, ready meals, bakery products, ice creams, and more. “Extending our products to Asda is a major milestone for Wicked Kitchen and …

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VFC Foods has agreed to acquire Clive's Purely Plants, a UK plant-based manufacturer of pies, quiches, rolls, and nut roasts.

Image courtesy of VFC
Investments & Acquisitions

VFC Foods Acquires Clive’s Purely Plants, Set to Increase Annual Sales by 30%

Vegan fried chicken company VFC Foods acquires Clive’s Purely Plants, a UK plant-based manufacturer of pies, quiches, rolls, and nut roasts.  Clive’s Purely Plants is the second brand to join the VFC Foods family this year, less than four months after the successful acquisition of Meatless Farm in June. VFC states that this strategic move marks a substantial expansion that promises to increase the group’s annual sales by an “impressive” 30%.  In 2021, Veg Capital, the UK vegan investment fund launched by Veganuary and VFC founder Matthew Glover, acquired a majority share in the plant-based pies producer that aimed to reach £10 million in sales. “Clive’s perfectly complements our portfolio and enhances our ability to meet this growing demand,” says Dave Sparrow, CEO of VFC Foods. Expansion into the UK …

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3DBT cell culture media city mix

© 3D Bio-Tissues

Company News

3D Bio-Tissues Opens Office in Hong Kong to Commercialise its Flagship Cell Media in China

UK-based clinical and cell ag company 3D Bio-Tissues (3DBT) has recently expanded internationally with a new office in Hong Kong to introduce its flagship cell-boosting media supplement, City-Mix, to the Chinese cultivated meat market.  3DBT will also target the Chinese biotech industry, especially gene therapy, stem cells, regenerative medicine, Life Sciences companies, and academia. The company already started hiring R&D experts and sales and marketing specialists to develop a go-to-market strategy, build distribution networks, and establish manufacturing partners in China.  The announcement was made by the biotech investor BSF Enterprise (LSE: BSFA), which owns 3DBT. Recently, BSF raised £2.9 million to provide working capital for its subsidiary to accelerate its progress and develop systems to expedite the production and supply of its media growth and target manufacturers.  Commercial presence 3DBT, a Newcastle University …

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