Arla Foods Ingredients partners with Novozymes to create novel protein ingredients using precision fermentation
Danish dairy ingredients manufacturer Arla Foods Ingredients has teamed up with Bagsværd-based biotech company Novozymes to produce advanced protein ingredients using precision fermentation.
The collaboration will first focus on developing solutions for the medical nutrition sector – specifically, protein-based ingredients which can be used to manage particular diseases. It is expected the partnership will also expand into other areas in the future.
Novozymes develops enzymes through a process of precision fermentation and has been working to identify new protein solutions for the health and nutrition field since 2019.
The new partnership will allow Arla Foods Ingredients to contribute its expertise around separation and drying processes as well as the regulatory landscape for fermented products.
Novozymes will offer its knowledge around developing microbial strains for the mass-scale production of proteins using precision fermentation.
Henrik Andersen, Group Vice President of Arla Foods Ingredients, said in a statement: “This partnership brings together two market leaders in our respective areas. Collaborating with Novozymes fits perfectly with our ambition to explore alternative nutrition platforms and complement our portfolio of dairy and whey solutions. By leveraging our combined expertise, manufacturing skills and market insights, we’ll be able to accelerate the pace at which we bring innovative new protein products to market.”
Valerio Nannini, General Manager, Novozymes Advanced Protein Solutions, added: “Precision fermentation allows us to do almost anything in terms of protein composition and structure, and this is a fantastic opportunity to harness its full potential. In our ambition to develop new tailor-made products Arla Foods Ingredients is the best possible partner for us. It’s already firmly positioned in medical nutrition and offers substantial insight into market needs, as well as specific manufacturing capabilities that complement ours. Entering a partnership like this demonstrates the huge progress we’ve made since our decision to enter the health and nutrition space.”
The food industry has shown a growing interest in the precision fermentation sector lately. In March, Danone bought a minority stake in Israeli start-up Imagindairy, which produces animal-free whey and casein ingredients. That same month the company also entered into a strategic investment agreement with cultured animal and human breast milk developer Wilk.
Earlier this year, several leading start-ups also founded the Food Fermentation Europe group and the US-based trade association Precision Fermentation Alliance, to help more companies working in the sector navigate the regulatory process and raise awareness of the benefits of precision fermentation.
