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Manufacturing & Technology

Clextral’s innovative developments in producing affordable and tasty alternative proteins

The world’s population is increasing. The living standards are rising in many countries. To satisfy the expanding demand for meat and fish consumption, industrial livestock and aquaculture production has multiplied. However, aware of the societal, ethical and environmental effects of an animal-based diet, more and more consumers are willing to reduce their meat and fish consumption by introducing healthy non-animal protein sources into their diets. Mankind being omnivorous, we can anticipate that the global population will still, on average, include meat and fish in its diet. However, some of this consumption of meat and fish products could be replaced by another type of high protein food: plant-based meat and fish substitutes. One of the major challenges of the 21st century will be feeding the growing …

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Ingredients

Cultivating Excellence: Lallemand’s Leading Role in the Torula Yeast Revolution

Lallemand Bio-Ingredients (LBI), a company specializing in producing a complete range of natural inactive whole-cell yeast, yeast autolysates, and yeast extracts, has played a crucial role in advancing Torula yeast production. Established in 1987, Lallemand Bio-Ingredients was initially formed to develop value-added products while optimizing the processing of yeast biomasses. Over time, the company acquired strong expertise in yeast-based, fermented ingredients. In 2009, Lallemand announced the acquisition of Lake States Yeast Division from the Wausau Paper Group. Lake States had been a leader in the development and commercialization of inactive dried Torula yeast since 1948. Lallemand’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement led to the optimization of the Torula yeast production process. The company transitioned from relying on paper-mill byproducts to using molasses and dextrose, …

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oats

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Ingredients

Health Advantages of Oats: A Nutrient-Packed Superfood

Oats, scientifically known as Avena sativa, have been a staple food for centuries, and they continue to gain popularity in modern diets due to their outstanding health benefits. From breakfast bowls to snacks and baked goods, oats and oat-based food ingredients are versatile and satisfying. Beyond their delicious taste and convenience, they offer a plethora of nutrients that promote overall health and well-being. Let’s delve into the numerous health advantages of oats and explore how incorporating them into your daily diet can enhance your physical and mental wellness. Nutritional Profile Oats boast an impressive nutritional profile, making them a superfood worth incorporating into any diet. Oats are a good source of complex carbohydrates and protein. Oats typically contain 60% carbohydrates, 11-15% of protein, 5-9% of …

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Manufacturing & Technology

MeEat Selects Centric PLM to Help Revolutionize Plant-Based Food Industry

Finnish food tech startup partners with Centric Software to bolster innovation, streamline processes & enhance collaboration Centric Software®, the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) market leader, proudly announces its partnership with MeEat, a Finnish plant-based food tech startup. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to plan, design, develop, source and sell products such as apparel, footwear, sporting goods, furniture, home décor, consumer electronics, cosmetics, food & beverage and luxury to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals. Founded in 2020, MeEat Food Tech is a plant-based food startup with an aspirational mission — to make the best plant-based products and help the meat industry switch to plant-based food production. MeEat is a spin-off from a Finnish meat processing company, Pouttu, and their brand MUU …

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Ingredients

Green Boy Group is Fuelling The Plant-Based Food Reformation with Plant-Based, Non-GMO & Organic Food Ingredients

Global ingredient supplier Green Boy reveals its strategy to ensure availability, innovation, and, ultimately, food security for a growing population by supplying high-quality plant proteins, starches, and syrups to established and upcoming food companies and manufacturers. Our ever-expanding human population is heading towards nine billion people while inhabiting a planet with limited resources.  We would need 1.75 planets to sustain our current consumption as humanity. One of the most crucial areas in desperate need of reform is the food industry: from an inefficient, destructive, and health-threatening system reigned by the Big Dairy and Meat industry, to an optimized, regenerative, and healthy food supply that makes tasty plant-based options accessible to everyone. Luckily, all the research, knowledge, and technologies it takes to transform our food system …

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Startups, Accelerators & Incubators

ProVeg Launches Unique ‘Kickstarting for Good’ Program to Transform the Food System

Food awareness organization ProVeg International introduces ‘Kickstarting for Good’, a program to launch and grow nonprofits, impact initiatives, and social startups working in the field of food system transformation. Claimed to be the first program of its kind worldwide, Kickstarting for Good will be run by the ProVeg Incubator, which already runs an accelerator program for plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation startups. The program is open to those who have high-potential ideas for new initiatives, and also to those with the drive to take forward some ideas pre-identified by ProVeg. “We’ve identified a whole series of high-impact ideas, so we invite people to apply whether they have an existing idea or not. We’ll train you and introduce you to the right people to make this big …

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sugar free oat drink Meurens

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Beverages

Meurens Natural’s Sustainable Innovations: Sugar-free Oat Drinks

In recent years, a notable trend has emerged in the beverage industry— the rise of sugar-free and no-added sugar plant-based drinks. Awareness about the negative effects of excessive sugar consumption, such as obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, has prompted individuals to seek healthier beverage options. As health-conscious consumers increasingly seek healthier alternatives to traditional sugary beverages, and as environmental concerns become more prominent, the demand for plant-based drinks has skyrocketed. The “no added sugar” claim is a significant aspect of food labelling that holds immense importance. This claim signifies that a product does not have additional sugars added during formulation or manufacturing. Innovation is key at Meurens Natural and has played a vital role in the development of our oat bases that can be …

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Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Naturli’: Redefining Vegan Excellence with Unparalleled Taste and Quality

Naturli‘ has emerged as a true pioneer in the realm of vegan products, captivating consumers with its exceptional offerings. From the heart of Denmark, the flavorful journey began in 2017, taking even the most hardcore butter-loving Danes by storm. Within just a couple of years, Naturli’ Plant Butter successfully created an entirely new category, redefining the possibilities of plant-based alternatives. Today, Naturli’ has expanded its reach to over 40 countries, proving that vegan alternatives can delight even the most devoted butter enthusiasts. “Our secret ingredient for creating exceptional vegan products? Going all in on incredible taste that leaves our customers craving more!” shares Henrik, the visionary behind Naturli’s success. “At Naturli’, taste is the ultimate driving force. We pour our hearts and taste buds into …

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Company News

Blue Horizon’s Job Board: Sourcing Talent for a Sustainable Future

Since its launch in November 2022, Blue Horizon’s Job Board and Talent Network has rapidly gained traction, establishing itself as a dynamic ecosystem that connects forward-thinking companies with exceptional talent across the sustainable food space. With over 200 opportunities from 82 companies and more than 185 talents as of this June, the platform has become the largest in the industry, showcasing Blue Horizon’s commitment to driving the future of sustainable food.  From plant-based product development to regenerative agriculture, alternative proteins, and circular economy solutions, the Job Board presents a wide range of career opportunities within the food industry. Among the 200 listings, the most sought-after roles are technical positions requiring a scientific or engineering background. Solutions for global challenges Blue Horizon Director Robert Boer discussed …

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KaTech plantbased foods

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Protein

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How the right plant protein can improve the nutritional value of alternative products

Growing interest in plant-based diets has led to a variety of dairy and meat alternatives entering the market over recent years. But with consumers associating vegan products with a healthier lifestyle, criticism of their often lower nutritional value compared to animal products remains an issue, particularly when it comes to protein content. The challenge So far, product development for alternative products has mainly focused on consumer perception and eating enjoyment. What does it look like? How does it taste? Does it have an appealing texture? And most importantly, how close does it compare to the animal-based product? Less attention has been paid to recreating a similar nutritional value and this is largely due to the complexities involved. Replicating protein content is challenging. Plant proteins often …

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Meurens potato maize extracts

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Ingredients

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Meurens Natural’s Sustainable Innovations in Potato-Maize Extracts: Time for a Fresh Starch!

Potatoes have been around for thousands of years and find themselves in a plethora of food recipes. Most of us go about our day not giving this vegetable too much thought, yet the mighty potato is quite a remarkable root vegetable. Here’s why: Potatoes can basically grow anywhere Potatoes are a cool-weather type of crop that typically thrives in the more northern parts of the world. However, they can also be grown as winter crops in warmer environments. Potatoes can also be grown at higher altitudes and are pretty resistant to harsh growing conditions. They can even tolerate light frost. According to the FAO (FAOSTAT, 2021), 376 million tons of potatoes were produced globally. The top ten producing countries are: The top ten European countries …

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Manufacturing & Technology

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A Successful Implementation of Bioeconomy needs Scalability and Creditworthiness

Biomanufacturing or biobased production (the production of food, materials, and other products by microorganisms) is a cornerstone for a more sustainable, healthier, and resilient economy, i.e., the bioeconomy. Some biomanufacturing processes already exist in pilot projects, such as the production of food ingredients like egg protein (EVERY) or natural colours (Chromologics), or the production of materials like vegan leather (Polybion) or sustainable cement (Biomason). Biomanufacturing of drugs, such as insulin, is well established in the pharmaceutical industry with small product volumes and high costs. However, scaling biomanufacturing for food and materials to industrial volume and cost levels is the next key step in building the bioeconomy. The report, “To make the Bioeconomy real, develop for scalability and creditworthiness,” was published by Swiss impact investor Blue …

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White-Paper-VLabel

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Retail & E-Commerce

Private Label Veggie Brands: Majority of Retailers Work With V-Label, New White Paper Shows

In recent years, almost every retailer in Europe has introduced its own private label offering vegan and vegetarian products to consumers. In a newly published white paper, V-Label reveals its market leading position among certified private labels. Across the globe, more than 50,000 products from more than 4,300 licensees now carry V-Label. “V-Label is proud to work with the majority of European retailers, who make the shopping experience for millions of consumers easier. This is possible thanks to the transparent and visible labelling that V-Label offers,” comments Martin Ranninger, V-Label International’s co-director, on the white paper release. Retailers are now in a position to drive a fourth private-brand wave based on addressing changing consumer preferences and habits in innovative ways, this McKinsey 2021 report states. …

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Marketing & Media

For Sale: Plant-Based.com, the Definitive Domain of Today and Tomorrow

There exists no domain more powerful, memorable, or increasingly positive in the minds of consumers than Plant-Based.com. Parents, kids, academics, media, and even politicians understand that plant-based has become part of the zeitgeist, not just as a term of culinary import, but also as a potential solution for improving conditions around the world. As more and more consumers prioritize plant-based diets and lifestyles, the demand for products and services that cater to this demographic is on the rise. With Plant-Based.com you can instantly position your business, product, service, event, or non-profit organization as a leader within the plant-based space. As consumer recall of Plant-Based.com is nearly 100%, there is no better way to draw consumers to your online presence, whether to increase customer subscriptions, grow …

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plant based foods, image AGRANA

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Ingredients

AGRANA starch is a part of your daily life

What makes starch so special? The various fields of applications. Starch can be found in food, cosmetics, textiles, and personal care. From making bread to building a house, so many things are unthinkable without the use of starch. “Starch is our passion. We value nature – creating ingredients for you.” AGRANA’s carefully selected raw materials are corn, potatoes, and wheat. We produce natural and organic alternatives to conventional additives for the food industry and also for other industry areas. Starch in your food products AGRANA continuously identifies new applications and improves existing products, especially in the area of plant-based products. Grain proteins, such as wheat gluten are valuable products derived from starch processing and are an important ingredient for plant-based meat alternatives. AGRANA’s Vital Wheat …

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Ingredients

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Create a Stir With Plant-Based On-Trend Ingredients

Capitalize on the growing flexitarian lifestyle with elevated plant-forward food and beverage creations. Consumers around the globe desire products that deliver great taste while also meeting evolving nutritional needs. ADM is at the forefront of innovation, with a broad portfolio of wholesome ingredients from a single supplier to food and beverage solutions that deliver a neutral-tasting, clean profile. Download ADM’s new infographic to see how our vertical integration and clean label processing can help create on-trend products with consumer-preferred taste, functionality and nutritional quality. Discover 8 of the key NutriStemTM wholesome ingredients that can help address the growing consumer trend of plant-forward eating. DOWNLOAD NOW  

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jobBoard Blue Horizon

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People

The Need for Seasoned Talent in a Maturing Alt Protein Industry  

To mark the company’s newly launched jobs board, Robert Boer, Director at Blue Horizon here discusses the HR needs in the industry and the importance of skilled, experienced talent. It’s no secret that the alternative protein industry is predicted to take a serious cut out of Big Meat’s pie with the likes of KFC and Burger King already adding alternative meat options to their menus. One out of five meals we’ll eat in 2035 will be made from alternative protein. However, today there are still many challenges to be solved to reach this consumer adoption. Recruiting talent is one of the biggest challenges our industry currently faces. Startups aiming to innovate the food industry while competing with decades-old traditional food companies need talent in order …

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Herbstreith & Fox

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Ingredients

Ingredients Trend: Flexible and Tolerant H&F Pectin for Vegan Applications

Pectin was first discovered in fruits over 200 years ago. However, the possibility of using it in food production was only recognized at the beginning of the 20th century. Pectin is a natural fibre, which is found in apples along with citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes. This makes it a purely plant-based product and perfectly suited for vegan applications — it is used for texturizing and as a gelling agent, thickener or stabilizer. In many application areas, pectin can complement or even replace other texturizing ingredients, such as gelatine in fruit gums, marshmallows and panna cotta. As a complementary ingredient, pectin with starch can effectively combine the technological advantages of both stabilizers and generate additional benefits in bakeable fruit fillings or gummy …

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Sweets & Snacks

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Ingredients trends: H&F Pectin improves starch-based vegan gummy confectionery

Gummy and jelly confectionery is a large and important segment of the confectionery industry. Manufacturers and consumers have particularly high demands on the taste, texture, and appearance of vegan alternatives. Starch is often the main ingredient used to gel vegan gummy confectionery. In contrast, the combination of starch with pectin offers a perfect alternative with many advantages over purely starch-based products: ✓ Shorter moulding time ✓ Less stickiness ✓ Better flavour release ✓ Increased throughput ✓ Earlier achievement of product firmness ✓ Reduced energy and storage costs You can save up to 5% starch and replace it with just 1.1% pectin without losing any of the essential texture properties! In addition, there are further advantages: ✓ The use of pectin leads to a less sticky …

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Sunflower Sunset

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Agriculture / Agribusiness

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Ctrl Alt Meat: Revolutions, Wrong Turns And Solving World Hunger

by Katie Briefel

The war in Ukraine has exacerbated a food security crisis that means over 825 million people are affected by hunger, and around 25% of greenhouse gas emissions are created by agriculture and related land use. However, the roots of this crisis extend to decades before the Ukraine war, dating back to the Green Revolution, which introduced the mass use of pesticides and the selective breeding of crops in the aftermath of World War II. The Green Revolution aimed to tackle the scourge of hunger in many countries but has failed despite its good intentions. This week I was fortunate enough to see an advance copy of a new study from the Jeremy Coller Foundation, analysing this revolution entitled: Forks in the Road: Revolutions, wrong turns …

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