In this roundtable feature, some of the industry’s key players share their thoughts on the big trends for the year ahead as plant-based dairy continues to whip up innovation.

New Zealand-based start-up Leaft Foods has partnered with retail cooperative Foodstuffs South Island, to explore the use of its Rubisco leaf protein ingredient in a range of bakery products.

Functional food and beverage brand Laird Superfood has expanded its Hydrate line with two new flavours, Wild Berry and Tropical Punch.

Earthful, a provider of plant-based nutrition supplements and protein products based in India, has closed a INR ₹26 CR (approx. $2.9 million) funding round.

Plant-based collagen alternative brand VeCollal has secured an investment from Seventure Partners to expand the roll-out of its solution internationally.

The collaboration combines Pow.Bio’s continuous fermentation technology with Bühler’s engineering and deployment expertise, supported by advanced model-driven control software.

Solar Foods has partnered with Pothos, a nutritional supplements company based in Texas, US, to integrate its vegan-friendly Solein ingredient into Pothos’ protein powders.

Danone North America is tapping into the protein boom with the launch of Silk Protein, the latest addition to its plant-based drink portfolio.

As natural ingredients and health benefits move higher among consumers’ purchasing priorities, the plant-based functional beverages market is poised to reap the benefits of shoppers’ evolving preferences.