Pea Protein

Green peas in close up

© fydorov-stock.adobe.com
Protein

New Rice & Pea Proteins with Complete Amino Acid Profile Arrive in US and Canada, in “Major Step Forward” for Alt Dairy

Xyprotein (Anhui Shunxin Shengyuan Biological Food Co.) and ZXCHEM USA have collaborated to launch rice and pea protein powders designed for use in the plant-based food and beverage sector. Anhui Shunxin, a rice protein manufacturer based in Eastern China, and ZXCHEM USA, a food and beverage protein distributor located in Somerset, New Jersey, have now introduced these products to the US and Canadian markets. Complete protein The first product, HydroRice™ PA80, consists of 100% rice protein, and the second, HydroPR™ 80, is a blend of 40% rice and 60% pea protein. Both rice and pea protein contain all nine essential amino acids crucial for human health, but on their own, each is slightly deficient in one amino acid. Rice protein falls short on lysine, while …

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ProVeg NFH pea crops

Image: ProVeg International

Protein

Alleviate Consumer Misconceptions Around Pea Protein to Drive Sales

If you’d have asked someone what they thought about eating pea protein 10 or 15 years ago, unless they were in the food business themselves, they’d likely have met your question with a baffled face. “Peas are just a vegetable to enjoy on the side of your meal, right?” Wrong. Most consumers now know that the small but mighty legume is packed with protein and other nutrients. Because of this, pea protein is skyrocketing to the top of the plant-based protein ingredients sector.  Although pea-protein ingredients are experiencing huge success, consumer uncertainty about this innovative food persists. In its latest New Food Hub article, ProVeg International investigates common consumer misconceptions about pea protein and shares insights on how you can boost your pea-protein product sales …

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Milk alternative made from yellow peas

© vly
Ingredients

vly and KWS Collaborate to Develop Plant-Based Products Made from Yellow Peas

German alt milk brand vly and seed specialist KWS have announced a multiyear partnership to develop plant-based foods made from pea protein. Vly already offers a range of pea-based milk alternatives, while KWS has been breeding yellow peas since the 1980s. The company now leads the market in France, which is described as the largest and most important European pea market. Previously, KWS has focused on selecting for traits such as yield, resource efficiency, and standing power. However, as part of the new partnership, the company will work to adapt the characteristics of yellow peas for use in plant-based foods. “As a seed producer, we can contribute to food development right from the start — for example, in terms of improving taste, processing quality, and …

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Japanese dairy giant Megmilk forms JV with Agrocorp to build pea protein facility in Malaysia

Image credit: Agrocorp International
Ingredients

Japanese Dairy Giant Megmilk and Agrocorp Partner to Open Pea Protein Plant in Malaysia

Japan’s dairy giant Megmilk Snow Brand has partnered with Agrocorp International, a Singapore-based global agrifood supplier, to produce and distribute plant-based ingredients to accelerate the shift toward sustainable food production in Asia.  The two APAC companies established a joint venture (JV) to open a factory in Malaysia to produce pea protein and starch isolates for the region’s plant-based F&B manufacturing sector. Agrocorp will contribute 51% and Megmilk 49% in the total $21 million investment in the JV.  “We are excited to partner with Megmilk Snow Brand, one of the largest dairy companies in Japan, to further our capabilities downstream in the plant protein extraction business,” commented Vishal Vijay, director of strategic investments at Agrocorp International. Growing demand in Asia The partnership will leverage the strengths of both …

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megaboxJay&Joy

© Jay&Joy
Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

France 2030 Funds New Project to Stimulate Plant-Based Dairy Innovation

The French government has committed €8.3 million as part of its France 2030 actions to support a new project that will stimulate local plant-based dairy innovation. The initiative, called AlinOVeg, “Innovating in plant-based food”, has been launched by six French players: Roquette, Agri Obtentions, Eurial, Greencell, INRAE, and the Université Lumière Lyon 2. The French public investment bank, Bpifrance, will operate the collaborative project funded with a total budget of €11.4 million. The largest collaborative innovation project AlinOVeg aims to stimulate French innovations in plant-based dairy, including cheese and desserts, generate new markets and accelerate the transition to sustainable foods in France.  The project also includes empowering farmers to develop and grow a sustainable local plant-based ingredients sector, focusing on peas and fava beans, key …

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Clean-Label Vegan Burger

©Great American Plant Co.

Company News

The Great American Plant Co: A Private Label Helping Retailers and Restaurants to Offer Lower Cost Plant-Based Products

As higher prices for plant-based proteins continue to challenge sales, one company is launching to help retailers and restaurants offer more affordable plant-based meats under their own brands. The Great American Plant Co. (GAPC) is a private-label manufacturer offering a line of plant-based foods, including burgers, meatballs and sausages, to retailers and food service operators.  What sets GAPC apart, the company states, is its focus on clean-label ingredients and lower prices; compared to major competitors, GAPC’s products wholesale for 10-20% less than other leading brands. In addition, GAPC’s proteins are wholly sourced and manufactured in North America, creating what it calls a ‘significantly smaller’ environmental footprint than its competitors.  “Great products that delight consumers” Founded in Dallas in 2020, GAPC offers a line of pea …

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President, North America

©Equinom
Company News

Equinom Appoints New President of North America and CSO As It Prepares to Launch First Products

Israeli ingredients company Equinom announces the appointment of Ephi Eyal as its new North America President and Adi Costa as Chief Science Officer. Eyal and Costa join the company as it prepares to accelerate the commercialization of its minimally-processed plant proteins and continues to develop its Manna™ technology platform. According to the company, Eyal brings significant leadership experience in the food and nutrition industries, where he helped drive growth and innovation for specialty ingredients companies like J.M. Huber, CP Kelco, and Innovative Food Processors. At Equinom, Eyal will oversee the North American commercial and farming operations as the company scales up its seed, grain and ingredients through different strategic partnerships. “Equinom is on a quest to become the food industry’s end-to-end ingredient innovation partner starting …

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Daiz Miracle Meat logo

© Daiz
Ingredients

Japan’s Daiz to Expand its “Miracle Meat” Internationally Through Roquette Deal

Plant protein leader Roquette announces an investment and business partnership with the Japanese plant-based meat ingredients company Daiz, referred to as the Impossible Foods of Japan. Through the business alliance, the companies will produce the pea-based Miracle Meat  — a texturized vegetable protein originally developed using soy — as part of Roquette’s pea protein portfolio development and Daiz’s market expansion goals. Pierre Courduroux, CEO of Roquette, said: “Our objective is to be the best partner for our customers as they develop delicious products that will encourage more consumers to enjoy plant-based food more often. This investment in Daiz reflects our commitment to developing plant-based ingredients to meet those expectations.” The Impossible Foods of Japan Daiz’s proprietary technology, Ochiai Germination Method, uses plant seed germination and extrusion process …

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Vegan Pork Sandwich

©Final Foods
Products & Launches

Final Foods Debuts ‘Gourmet’ Line of Whole-Cut Plant-Based Meats for Food Industry

Natural foods startup Final Foods announces the launch of its first line of plant-based, protein-rich meat alternatives. Made primarily for the food service industry, Final Foods says its clean-label products are created to offer chefs a wider range of formats with premium texture. Available online, the products are initially shipping to California and Nevada.  Unlike many protein alternatives that are usually sold in ground or crumbled form, Final Foods’ plant-based offerings come in slices and large cuts, which the company says makes them ideal for grilling, as well as stewing, sautéing and stir-frying.  Made from pea protein, the brand states its vegan meats are created from a simple extrusion process, which provides a more realistic and natural texture with no fillers.  Final Foods’ current offerings …

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a grilled plant-based salmon fillet on a plate served with lemon wedges made by the dutch company plnt

© PLNT
Products & Launches

PLNT Introduces 100% Plant-Based Salmon, Launches Two New Chicken Products

Dutch plant-based meat and fish producer PLNT announces the launch of three products — Salmon Fillets, Chicken Nuggets, and Chicken Tenders. The company says the new plant-based salmon and chicken developments are part of its ongoing effort to respond to the most critical trends in food: a healthier life and a healthier planet. PLNT’s plant-based salmon is made with pea proteins and is allergen-free, while the new chicken items contain 39 % wheat protein. The brand claims its meats are nutritious — high in proteins and containing vitamins and minerals — and better for the environment. “We source our ingredients as close to home as possible, with wheat from Denmark and the Netherlands and soy from Austria, which are just two examples,” Marleen Kolijn, senior brand …

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Soy plants/ crops

© Equinom
Investments & Finance

Equinom Closes $35M in Funding to Scale Minimally Processed, Non-GMO Plant Protein

Israeli nutrition company Equinom announces the close of $35M in funding to bring its more optimized plant proteins to market. The round brings the company’s total funding to date to $71M.  Equinom will use the capital to accelerate the commercialization of its plant protein ingredients, which will be sold to food companies via established multinational suppliers.  Equinom specializes in breeding new non-GMO varieties of important proteins used by the plant-based industry, such as soy and pea, that are optimized for food production and require less processing. These improved proteins are said to offer better taste and nutrition while reducing production costs and complexities. According to Equinom, this thus enables food companies to develop tastier and more affordable alternatives to meat and dairy. “Today’s food system …

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Plant-based pea-fungi products

© Peas of Heaven
Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Peas of Heaven Launches Frozen Pea Protein Hybrids in Collaboration With Mycorena

Peas of Heaven announces the launch of a “totally unique range of products” combining pea protein and Mycorena’s mycoprotein ingredient Promyc. Peas of Heaven is known for its fresh pea-based meat alternatives ranging from burgers meatballs, bacon, mince, and various types of sausage, which sold out within 24 hours upon the opening of the brand’s online store last spring. Mycorena is a food tech that works with fungi technology to create its mycelium-based protein Promyc. Earlier this year, the two Swedish brands developed The Converter, the first hybrid vegan sausage made using pea protein and Promyc. Following its success, the companies again joined forces to create this newly announced range of frozen products. Julia Granung, head of product development at Peas of Heaven, said: “We see …

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A bag of plant-based salmon

©Hooked Foods
Products & Launches

Hooked to Launch Plant-Based ‘Salmoonish’ and ‘Fish-ish Sticks’ in Sweden

Hooked Foods, a Swedish company that develops sustainable alternatives to seafood, announces that from October 3rd two new plant-based fish products — Salmoonish and Fish-ish sticks — will be available at major grocery stores in Sweden.  Hooked Foods also reveals that its Toonish range of products (until now only available at restaurants) will join its Toonish Tomat, which has been on supermarket shelves since 2021. Hooked was born in 2019 after Tom Johansson and Emil Wasteson were challenged to create a sustainable alternative to seafood, tasty and nutritious made with plants. Recently the company raised €10M for product development and market expansion. The Hooked portfolio Hooked Foods explains that it offers consumers a new way to replace fish with sustainable alternatives that do not harm the …

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Lantmännen

Magnus Kagevik, Group President and CEO of Lantmännen © Lantmännen
Investments & Finance

$91 Million Investment for Pea Protein Facility in Sweden Strengthens Local Production in Northern Europe

The investment of over SEK 1 billion ($91 million) in a new large-scale production facility for pea protein in Sweden strengthens Lantmännen’s leading position in the market for plant-based proteins in the Northern European market. Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy, and food products. Owned by 19,000 Swedish farmers, the cooperative has a yearly revenue of about SEK 48 billion ($4.4 billion). Moreover, the Northern European food leader counts 10,000 employees and is active in more than 20 countries.  The pea proteins will complement Lantmännen’s range of sustainable grain-based proteins from wheat and oats. The new production facility is expected to be completed in early 2026. Large-scale production facility Lantmännen is now starting the detailed design of a …

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Plant-based chicken cutlets

© Nowadays
Products & Launches

Nowadays to Launch Whole Cuts and Tenders Created by Ex Wendy’s & Popeyes’ Developer

Nowadays, a San Francisco plant-based meat brand focused on making junk food healthy, announces the launch of its new whole-cut cutlets and tenders in the US market will take place in early 2023. The cutlets and tenders were created by the company’s recently hired Director of Product Development Chris Johnson, who was a former product developer at Wendy’s and Popeyes. Known for its “good for you chicken nuggets,” the company will expand its healthy offering of simple ingredients and high nutritional profile products that bring together “the fried chicken taste and the crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside,” as described by the brand. Nowadays is expanding its offerings in response to consumer demand for clean-label, healthy everyday meals. Cutlets and tenders respond …

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Nomoo Cheeseburger and Fries

©Nomoo
Gastronomy & Food Service

Nomoo Partners with Nestle Professional to Develop Proprietary Plant-Based Burger, Chicken and Cheese

LA burger concept nomoo is partnering with Nestle Professional, the world’s largest global foodservice manufacturer, to develop a proprietary line of plant-based products. The companies’ first offering, a gluten-free, non-GMO pea protein burger, will launch in October 2022, with a plant-based chicken burger and cheese currently in the works.  Created to help streamline nomoo’s operations, the new line will provide key advantages for the vegan fast food brand as it prepares to expand its franchise across the US. Expected benefits include lower food costs, less waste, extended shelf-life and more consistency. The Nestle partnership will also significantly reduce labor and boost nomoo’s status as an appealing and scalable concept for potential franchisees.  “With a partner like Nestlé, renowned for its commitment to the finest ingredients, …

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Greenforce ambassador Patrik Baboumian

Brand Ambassador Patrik Baboumian ©GREENFORCE
Sustainability / Environment

All UK Aviation Emissions Could Be Offset with Pea Protein Swap Just 2X a Week

New data analysis from German plant-based startup GREENFORCE has revealed yet another positive impact of a shift towards plant-based diets in the fight against climate change. By swapping to foods derived from pea protein instead of beef just twice a week, the company claims the UK could offset the equivalent of all its aviation emissions.  The findings show how the UK could save 2.4 million (67,257,008 tonnes of CO2e) metric tonnes of methane emissions per year if the average person switches two beef meals per week to pea protein, according to GREENFORCE. The company’s analysis shows how pea protein boasts a virtually non-existent methane footprint when compared to animal products, particularly beef and lamb.  GREENFORCE – which recently launched the world’s most sustainable sausage – …

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TMRW Foods Products

©TMRW Foods
Investments & Finance

Canada’s TMRW Foods Raises C$2M Ahead of Nationwide US Sprouts Market Launch

TMRW Foods, a Canadian plant-based foods innovator, announces the closing of a C$2M (US$1.5M) financing round to fuel the company’s expansion across North America. The brand also reveals it will launch eight products in US Sprouts Farmers Markets this August.  “An electric feeling” Based in Vancouver, TMRW Foods sells a lineup of soy-free and gluten-free protein shreds, burgers, sausages, and meatballs made with proprietary TMRW protein – an innovative blend of pea isolate, oat flour and brown rice protein. Earlier this year, the brand added several varieties of Ocean Cakes, a crab cake alternative, to its offerings.  In 2021, TMRW raised $2.6M from high-profile investors, including executives from Daiya and Disney, to support product innovation and expansion. Months later, it successfully entered two of Canada’s …

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Andre Carvalho

©The New
Company News

Brazil’s ‘The New’ Appoints Former Meat Industry Exec André Carvalho as CEO

Brazilian alt-protein brand The New (formerly The New Butcher), announces it has selected André Carvalho, a former executive at global meat company Minerva, to lead the company as CEO. Founder Bruno Fonseca will continue to head R&D and new product development, as well as serve on the board of directors. The announcement comes as The New reports strong 20% quarter-over-quarter sales growth for Q1 and the launch of a popular pork product earlier this year.  At Minerva, which ranks as one of the world’s top 20 meat companies, Carvalho served as Country Sales and Marketing Director, where he managed US$1bn in revenue, oversaw a team of 400, and created one of the largest protein B2B e-commerce platforms in Brazil. Carvalho has previously held senior positions …

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©Off Piste Provisions
Ingredients

New Zealand Urged to Invest in Plant-Based Protein 

Kiwi plant-based producer Off-Piste Provisions is calling on the New Zealand agri-food and ingredients sectors to invest in pea and fava protein. The vegan outdoor foods brand has commissioned a new report to highlight the opportunities for pea and fava bean extraction in the country.  Entitled “Feasibility of Pea and Fava Bean Protein Extraction in New Zealand” and undertaken by PwC New Zealand, the report set out to understand the current market situation and opportunities that exist for pea and fava bean protein extraction in New Zealand. The report suggests a sizeable opportunity is present for investors and the local agri-food and ingredients sectors. Interestingly, Off-Piste Provisions – producer of on-the-go plant protein such as jerky – is funded by the New Zealand Ministry for …

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