Weekly Roundup: Tetra Pak taps into food fermentation for plant-based NPD, Barry Callebaut expands in Latin America

17 Jun 2022 --- In industry news this week, Tetra Pak unveiled its plans to collaborate with Mycorena to build a greenfield production facility for fungi fermentation. Meanwhile, Barry Callebaut expanded its reach into Latin America, and Veganz Group opened a new production site in Germany. Forafric Global with Alapala Foreign Trade cut a deal that will lead to the construction of new mills to increase wheat and durum processing capacity, while the Kirin Health Innovation Fund invested in YuaBread.

In brief: Business moves
Tetra Pak and Mycorena’s collaboration is eyeing the potential of fermented food ingredients to help build a more resilient and sustainable global food system. This is part of Tetra Pak’s long-term view to address the challenges around food safety and security by exploring and advancing innovative food sources. The new plant, located in Falkenberg, Sweden, will produce a meat replacement product from fungi. The factory’s first phase will include mince-based products that will serve as ingredients for making alternative meat products. Mycorena also plans to expand its production capacity and extend its geographical reach by opening factories across Europe and Asia. 

Firmenich has become the second company in the world and the first in its industry to achieve the living wage milestone, ensuring decent living standards for employees globally. Following a rigorous external assessment by Fair Wage Network, a widely recognized international NGO, the group was awarded this certification three years ahead of its target completion date.

Barry Callebaut expanded further into Latin America via a new long-term agreement with Colombian food ingredient supplier Levapan, which has wide distribution networks in Colombia, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. The agreement enables both companies to drive regional strategic, long-term growth.

Firmenich has become the second company in the world and the first in its industry to achieve the living wage certification.North African agribusiness company Forafric Global entered an agreement between its subsidiary, Forafric Maroc and Alapala Foreign Trade to expand existing mills and construct new mills to significantly increase its wheat and durum processing capacity in the region.

The Kirin Health Innovation Fund invested in YuaBread, a company that develops platforms connecting bakeries in various regions of Japan with consumers through the use of refrigeration, IT and sales channel support. YuaBread has entered the health food market by developing bread with less than 15 g of sugar content. Kirin Holdings will explore the possibility of future collaboration to create healthy experiences through easily accessible bread products through this investment.

BioConsortia and the Mosaic Company entered an agreement to distribute microbial biostimulants in Asia. The biostimulant BEC69, branded as Zaffre in the US, will optimize root conditions to help plants use nutrients in the soil. It is based on naturally occurring bacteria that colonize the roots of plants, stimulate growth and increase crop yields.

In brief: Specialty foods
Distributor of specialty food ingredients and flavors, IMCD, launched a meat, fish and plant-based pilot plant in Belgium to expand its Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) Centre of Excellence. The new plant will accelerate product development of meat, fish (including seafood) and savory plant-based alternatives.

Mondelēz International is reporting supply chain disruptions in its ice cream Flakes line due to an increase in demand in the UK and Ireland, “above the levels that [Mondelez] had anticipated at the start of the year.” The supply issues have been unveiled just before a heatwave in the UK.

The California Prune Board’s executive committee estimated 75,000 short tons (68,000 MT) in volume for the prune crop year. The estimation tracks the average high-quality crop of the region. The premium quality and range of optimum sizes of California Prunes will have significant demand as global inventory remains constrained, adding upward pressure on the value of the fruit.

Vegan foods provider Veganz Group unveiled its second production site in Neubrandenburg, Germany, for the manufacture of Veganz Salmon Style Slices, an alternative fish made from algae, smoked over beech wood to give it its flavor.BioConsortia and the Mosaic Company entered an agreement to distribute microbial biostimulants in Asia.

By collaborating with World Central Kitchen (WCK), Nestlé will help feed hungry people in communities that have been stricken by extreme weather events related to the climate crisis. Nestlé will support WCK in an initial one-year agreement with a CHF one million (US$1.018 million) donation to its Climate Disaster Fund.

In brief: Acquisitions
Cleveland Kitchen closed a US$19 million series A round of funding led by Amberstone, with participation from existing investor Clover Vitality. The funds will accelerate the company’s growth in the fresh-fermented foods category and complete the acquisition of premium pickle manufacturer Sonoma Brinery. 

In brief: NPD
Brown-Forman Corporation and The Coca-Cola Company debuted a ready-to-drink pre-mixed cocktail, Jack & Coke. The bar cocktail will be made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola. The beverage will be unveiled in Mexico later this year and will branch out globally.

In brief: Other highlights
General Mills and Regrow Agriculture partnered to monitor agricultural practices and their environmental impacts across 175 million acres of farmland in the US, Europe and South America, where it sources ingredients such as wheat, oat and dairy. 

By Inga de Jong