Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced minority investments in two innovative companies, Plantible and CH4 Global, as part of its strategy to support sustainable practices and accelerate its growth plans.
Plantible, founded in 2018, utilizes Lemna (duckweed) to create Rubi Protein™, a plant-based protein designed to mimic the qualities of animal-based proteins. The company has developed a vertically integrated manufacturing process aiming to reduce reliance on synthetic emulsifiers and binders in food. Plantible’s operations emphasize sustainability by minimizing freshwater usage through recirculation and reducing carbon emissions.
Curt Garner, Chipotle’s Chief Customer and Technology Officer, noted that Plantible’s supply chain aligns with Chipotle’s commitment to ingredient transparency and high food standards. He emphasized that the investment could help expand the food industry’s plant-based offerings.
CH4 Global focuses on reducing methane emissions from livestock through its flagship product, Methane Tamer™, which is derived from Asparagopsis seaweed. The company aims to achieve significant reductions in methane emissions among cattle by up to 90%, while also improving the efficiency of feed utilization.
Christian Gammill, Manager of Chipotle’s investment initiative, Cultivate Next, highlighted the importance of supporting scalable solutions for greenhouse gas reduction. The investment in CH4 Global is intended to facilitate increased production of Methane Tamer™ to meet rising global demand for sustainable livestock feed solutions.
These investments are part of Chipotle’s overall strategy to further its mission of promoting sustainability and expanding its restaurant operations across North America.