Nestlé is increasing its plant-based portfolio with a new partnership with Netherlands-based Corbion. The companies will work to develop microalgae-based ingredients that can be added to animal-free foods to improve nutrition, taste, and sustainability for new products.
The goal is to create a range of microalgae ingredients that can be used internally and commercially. “We are actively exploring the use of microalgae as an alternative protein and micronutrient source for exciting plant-based products,” Stefan Palzer, CRO for Nestlé said in a statement. “Through the partnership with Corbion, we will be able to use great-tasting, nutritious microalgae-based ingredients to innovate across our different product categories.”
Being a clean source of protein, fat, and nutrients, microalgae have been shown to offer significant health benefits to vegan food products. Nestlé and Corbion will develop microalgae products with lower carbon, water, and land footprints than other more conventional ingredients thanks to fermentation technology.
Nestlé currently offers a range of plant-based areas, which are all expected to benefit from microalgae developments as they progress.
“We are excited to partner with Nestlé to develop the next generation of algae-based ingredients,” Marc den Hartog, executive vice president of innovation platforms at Corbion, said in a statement. “Corbion has already demonstrated the value of algae in several high-value food and feed applications. This new protein partnership with Nestlé has the potential to open important avenues for algae-based products into large global markets.”
Last month, Nestlé shared its 2021 earnings report with global revenues reaching $94 billion and plant-based foods with sales around $860 million. The company has credited a commitment to sustainability for its continued growth within the plant-based sector. Nestlé has committed $1.2 billion to regenerative agriculture.
Nestlé’s presence in the plant-based market has grown due to investment into other vegan brands. Last year, it backed California’s Sundial Foods, a startup known for its ultra-realistic chicken wing analogues.
Unilever is also embracing plant foods, thanks to recently published findings from in-house research that confirms a plant-based diet is best for people and the planet.
Unilever has made moves into the sector, with the acquisition of The Vegetarian Butcher and increased vegan options from existing brands.
