DSM has agreed to acquire Norwegian company Vestkorn Milling for an enterprise value of €65 million, as it looks to accelerate its growth in the plant-based protein market. Based in Tau, Norway, Vestkorn Milling is a producer of pea- and bean-derived protein, and supplies proteins, starches and dietary fibres for plant-based foods. The acquisition is a further step in DSM’s strategy to build an alternative protein portfolio. According to DSM, Vestkorn Milling’s portfolio complements its own broad offering to companies developing plant-based food and beverages, which includes vitamins, algal lipids and minerals to improve nutritional value; and texturizing hydrocolloid, flavours, yeast extracts and enzymes to improve protein taste and functionality. Patrick Niels, EVP of DSM’s food and beverage division, said: “Food and beverage producers around the world are looking to partners who can offer an integrated portfolio of ingredients, expertise and solutions to help them differentiate and get to market fast”. He continued: “This is especially important in the highly dynamic meat alternatives space, where consumer and societal expectations around authentic taste, texture and nutritional profile, as well as climate impact, are becoming more and more sophisticated”. Aslak Lie, Vestkorn Milling’s CEO, added: “Through the cooperation with DSM we have taken a huge step towards becoming a global leader of pulse-based ingredients. Over the past years, we have significantly expanded our business and market. With DSM, we have got a long-term-oriented owner that will fuel further growth and expansion.” The transaction, which is subject to customary conditions, is expected to close this year. DSM recently announced it had agreed to acquire dairy-based flavouring firm First Choice Ingredients for $453 million. #DSM #plantbased #VestkornMilling

Kavli Group‘s Primula squeezy cheese brand will enter into the plant-based market with the launch of Primula Perfectly Plant. According to Primula, the new flavour is fully endorsed by UK charity The Vegan Society and is “the only plant-based cheese alternative available in an easy-to-use tube format”. Primula’s head of marketing, Lisa Thornton, said: “Our loyal brand following since 1924 gives us the perfect heritage to launch into the dairy alternative market…This product also offers an amazing taste experience for the growing number of flexitarians, identified as a key trend to watch for in 2022.” Primula’s NPD manager, Nicole Herbert, added: “Since 2020, 500,000 Brits have given up meat, and with younger generations significantly more likely to follow a meat-free diet, a plant-based product was the obvious next choice for us. Primula Perfectly Plant has been in development for two years to create the perfect recipe and we worked closely with vegan consumers to develop the flavour.” She continued: “This will be the first vegan processed cheese alternative in the UK, developed in a fully recyclable tube”. Primula Perfectly Plant will launch in early 2022 for a retail price of around £1.60. In September, Kavli Group launched a limited-edition Primula ‘Burger Cheese’ spread. #KavliGroup #Primula #UK

Fiberstar has added Citri-Fi TX20 to its range of methylcellulose-free solutions for clean-label meat alternatives. The ‘next-generation’ texturizing citrus fibre can be used with specific plant-based proteins such as potato and canola. According to Fiberstar, Citri-Fi TX20 provides firmness, ‘thickening power’ and meat-like texture with minimal flavour. Fiberstar president and CEO, John Haen, said that “food manufacturers are scrambling for ways to improve meat substitute texture in addition to food labelling”. The company’s new Citri-Fi TX20 has no E number and can be labelled as citrus fibre, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour. #Fiberstar #meatalternatives

Upfield-owned dairy-free cheese brand Violife has released two new vegan cheese variations to add to its portfolio in time for the festive season. The new products include Tex Mex Flavour Grated and new round Mozzarella Flavour Slices. Tex-Mex Flavour Grated is a spicy flavoured cheese and can be added to vegan dishes such as fajitas and bean chilli. The stretchy mozzarella slices can be added to a sandwich or caprese salad. Both offerings are fortified with vitamin B12, 100% vegan and are completely free from dairy, soya, gluten, lactose, nuts, preservatives and emulsifiers. Bianca Harris, senior marketing manager at Violife, said: “At Violife, we’re proud to offer customers new flavours to be enjoyed with loved ones. Having recently ventured into plant-based butter and cream, we’re committed to continue innovating the dairy alternatives category and new flavours like the Tex Mex Flavour Grated and Mozzarella Flavour Slices are part of our ongoing mission to provide customers with 100% vegan alternatives that can be enjoyed by everyone.” The new additions are available now from Waitrose stores nationwide for an RSP of £2.65 each. #UK #UpfieldGroup #Violife

JBS USA-owned Planterra Foods’ Ozo is expanding its line of plant-based proteins with the launch of True Bite plant-based chicken cutlet and chicken shreds. Ozo’s plant-based chicken products will be available in four seasoning options: garlic & herb cutlet, sea salt & pepper cutlet, BBQ shreds and rotisserie-style shreds. According to the company, the new offerings mimic the taste and texture of traditional chicken and are packed with protein, more fibre and less fat than regular meat. “As time goes on, the demand for protein will only continue to increase and the world won’t be able to satisfy that demand with meat-based products alone,” said Planterra Foods CEO Darcey Macken. “With chicken being the most popular protein in the United States, it was clear we needed to create a plant-based option where people don’t have to sacrifice this mealtime favourite and have a more sustainable option.” True Bite’s chicken cutlets and shreds, which are 100% vegan and non-GMO, will be available at grocery stores nationwide in early 2022. Earlier this year, Planterra Foods opened a new research and development centre in Lafayette, Colorado. #JBSUSA #Ozo #PlanterraFoods #US

Californian plant-based meat company Impossible Foods has raised approximately $500 million in its recent funding round, led by existing investor Mirae Asset Global Investments. The round also included previous investors such as Khosla Ventures, Bill Gates, Google Ventures, Horizons Ventures, UBS, Viking Global Investors, Temasek, Sailing Capital, Coatue and Open Philanthropy Project. The company has now raised close to $2 billion since its inception, which includes a $200 million round in August last year, led by Coatue. The Impossible Food brand portfolio consists of animal-free meat alternatives, including burgers, ground sausages, chicken nuggets, pork and meatballs. David Borecky, Impossible Foods’ chief financial officer, said: “We’re fortunate to have great investors who believe in our long-term mission. The latest round of funding allows us to further accelerate our product innovation and global expansion efforts as we continue to leverage the power of the food system to satisfy consumers and fight climate change.” Impossible Foods plans to use the investment to support its continued growth in retail and across its supply chain, product portfolio, technology platforms and international expansion plans. You may also like to read: Impossible Foods’ meat alternative enters Asian retail market Home Chef partners with Impossible Foods to offer plant-based meals Impossible Foods receives $500m in Series F funding round #ImpossibleFoods #US

Oatly is expanding its US offering with the introduction of non-dairy frozen dessert bars, featuring a chocolatey coating. The new dessert bars will be available in four flavours, including: vanilla, chocolate fudge, salted caramel and strawberry swirl. “Our new non-dairy frozen dessert bars are fantastic, and I can’t wait for people to try them,” said Mike Messersmith, president, Oatly North America. “We’re proving that oat milk is not just for coffee, cereal or cooking, but can also be the foundation for great-tasting treats to be enjoyed during celebration moments or when a pick-me-up reward is needed. We are so proud of this product and are very excited to bring it to many frozen aisles across the country soon.” Oatly non-dairy frozen dessert bars will be available at national and regional grocers, including Target, Wegmans, Schnucks and Harris Teeter. Sold in three-count packs, with an SRP of $5.99, the bars will begin rolling out in the US next month. #Oatly #US

Ice cream and sorbet producer New Forest Ice Cream has added a new flavour to its vegan ice cream portfolio: Vegan Raspberry Ripple. The 120ml tub features a “scarlet red” raspberry ripple, dairy-free vanilla ice cream and a fruity flavour. The offering is free from dairy, gluten and egg. New Forest’s director, Christina Veal, said: “All our vegan recipes have been carefully developed so the flavour, texture and ingredients are spot on. We already know how popular these flavours are in our dairy range and we are confident that they really shine through with these new recipes too.” #icecream #NewForestIceCream #vegan

US plant-based meat company Sundial Foods has raised $4 million in a seed funding round for its whole-cut vegan chicken wings. The Californian firm will use the funding to expand its team and initiate production at the Rutgers Food Innovation Center in Bridgeton, New Jersey. The seed funding round included participation from Nestlé, Food Labs, Clear Current Capital, SOSV/IndieBio and others. According to Sundial, its chicken wings contain more fibre, less saturated fat and around the amount of protein as chicken. Sundial is using proprietary technology to make vegan meats that contain no artificial flavours or synthetic chemicals. The company’s technology enables the simulation of whole-cut products that mimic the taste and texture of traditional meat. “Our goal is to make meats that replace the butcher, so our product can be enjoyed as a centre-of-plate experience,” said Sundial’s co-founder, Jessica Schwabach. “We want to give consumers – whether vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian or meat-eating – a plant-based meat-eating experience that’s interesting, craveable and versatile.” Sundial’s vegan chicken wings are expected to be released in the US in spring 2022. #funding #plantbased #SundialFoods

Livekindly Collective brand, LikeMeat, has released its new plant-based chicken alternative, Like Chick’n Wings, to add to its portfolio. The ‘chicken wings’ feature a crispy coating and a meaty texture. Each pack includes a pouch of vegan buffalo sauce to dip. Emily Klooster, vice president of marketing for LikeMeat, commented: “Like Chick’n Wings are delicious, gameday-worthy, plant-based wings that everyone at the party can enjoy. This launch is iconic, not just for LikeMeat, but for the whole category. We’re the only brand making plant-based wings with a taste and texture guaranteed to leave even the biggest meat-loving sports fan craving more.” The new chicken alternative is gluten-free, certified plant-based and made with non-GMO ingredients. The release is available in a family-sized pack for $16.99 in the US in the freezer aisle at Sprouts. They will also be available in additional pack sizes in January 2022 at major retailers nationwide. #LikeMeat #LivekindlyCollective #US

Oatly has announced the opening of its first manufacturing facility in China, as it looks to expand its production capacity in Asia. Located in Ma’anshan, Anhui province, the facility has the potential to produce an estimated 150 million litres of oat-based products annually at full capacity. The opening comes just a few months after Oatly – which claims to have established a new Chinese character for ‘plant-based milk’ – inaugurated its first Asian factory in Singapore. “Oatly has grown to be the leader of the plant-based milk category in China and around the world, enabling people to switch from cow’s dairy to oat drink,” said Oatly CEO, Toni Petersson. “To meet the demand and to be a leader in the shift to a more plant-based future, Oatly expects to continue to grow and expand our production capacity with factories closer to our consumers.” He added: “We are confident in the continued growth of the Chinese market and that the new Chinese factory will accelerate our mission to drive a societal shift towards a plant-based food system for the benefit of people and the planet”. David Zhang, Asia president of Oatly, said: “Following the debut of our first factory in Asia, in Singapore this July, the opening of the first factory in China provides more capacity for Oatly in Asia, supporting the global expansion and meeting the increasing market demand”. “With the opening of this new factory, we are extending the world-class oat drink production process from Sweden to China, making plant-based diets accessible to more people to address the climate challenges that mankind faces.” #China #Oatly #plantbasedmilk

Dairy-free chocolate brand Dirty Cow has released a flavoured plant-based cream liqueur to appeal to its vegan alcohol consumers. Caramel Bombshell Cre*m Liqueur consists of flavours French caramel and wild vanilla. The new beverage is 100% vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free and comes in fully recyclable packaging. The liqueur has an ABV of 15% ABV per 70cl. It is available from 1 December on the Dirty Cow website and in selected UK retailers. #DirtyCow #UK