Fonterra Co-operative Group

A new wave of meat, fish, and poultry alternatives are driving this hyper-growth industry into the mainstream

Plant-based Meat

<div>
 
 Motif FoodWorks, a spin-off of Ginkgo Bioworks, is a biotechnology startup that develops alternative ingredients and finished products. It uses fermentation technology to develop ingredients for plant-based meat producers.
 
 
 In June 2021, the company showcased a plant-based burger to demonstrate its HEMAMI and APPETEX ingredients. HEMAMI can be used to recreate the rich umami flavor and aroma associated with beef, while APPETEX is used to replicate the texture of animal tissue by using plant proteins and plant-based carbohydrates. During the same year, Motif developed 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/5574">
 myoglobin
 </a>
 &mdash;a heme-binding protein found in cow tissue, which gives meat its flavor and aroma&mdash;using a genetically engineered strain of yeast (pichia pastoris).&nbsp;
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17661">
 April 2023
 </a>
 , Motiff launched its debut finished format product, Motif BeefWorks Plant-Based Burger Patties, made using HEMAMI and APPETEX. The burger patties were made available in a limited pre-order of a four-pack of the burger patties for USD 12. In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18377">
 May 2023
 </a>
 , the company launched its finished format foodservice portfolio at the National Restaurant Association show, which included Motif PorkWorks Plant-Based Ground and Motif BeefWorks Plant-Based Burger Patties and Grounds. The company also showcased a limited preview of Motif ChickenWorks Plant-Based Cutlets, slated to launch later in 2023.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 The startup has several partnerships with universities to develop plant-based food-related tech, including the University of Queensland, Australia (to create new textures using in vitro oral processing tech), the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Illinois, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the University of Guelph.
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13929">
 October 2022
 </a>
 , the company partnered with Vectron Biosolutions to develop next-generation animal-free proteins through microbial fermentation. In 
 <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motif-foodworks-partners-with-ingredientwerks-on-research-to-expand-technology-portfolio-with-molecular-farming-301759772.html">
 March 2023
 </a>
 , the company partnered with IngredientWerks to explore innovative ways to optimize heme protein production through molecular farming. Later, in 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22106">
 September 2023
 </a>
 , Motif partnered with upscale convenience store and cafe Foxtrot to offer Motif BeefWorks ground beef at all 30 Foxtrot locations across the US.
 
 
 Funding and Financials
 
 
 In its last funding round in 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/818">
 June 2021
 </a>
 , the startup raised USD 226 million in Series B funding led by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. The proceeds were expected to be used to scale R&amp;D, increase headcount, and expand its facilities.&nbsp;
 
 
 In May 2022, the company also attracted an investment from Robert Downey Jr.&rsquo;s FootPrint Coalition Ventures, and in collaboration, the two parties will work towards developing a new range of plant-based foods that goes beyond animal mimicry to provide consumers with healthier and more flavourful alternatives. 
 
 
 
</div>

A booming food and beverage segment with a history as rich and varied as its present-day product offerings

Plant-based Dairy & Egg

Vivici is a Dutch company specializing in animal-free dairy ingredients. It was formed by DSM and Fonterra, two leaders in the global food and beverage space, and operates as a standalone company.The company leverages precision fermentation technology and smart microorganisms to produce alternative protein ingredients, more specifically beta-lactoglobulin, a major whey protein in milk. The microorganisms are encoded with protein blueprints found in nature and are placed in fermentation vessels to create alternative proteins claimed to be identical to dairy proteins.In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22467">October 2023 </a>, the company announced it had scaled its production platform ahead of its slated flagship product launch. Vivici focuses on B2B customers and plans on supplying food and beverage producers seeking sustainable whey protein alternatives. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26738">February 2024 </a>, Vivici launched its whey protein alternative for commercial availability.Key customers and partnershipsIn <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24374">November 2023 </a>, the company partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks, a leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, to optimize, develop, and commercialize functional alternative dairy proteins.Funding and financialsIn August 2023, the company raised an undisclosed amount in a seed funding round backed by DSM-Firmenich Venturing and Fonterra. The funding was earmarked for further product development and commercialization initiatives.

Sustainably solving the food shortages of the future

Smart Farming

Based in New Zealand, ProTag offers a complete remote sensing solution for livestock farmers, providing illness detection and location-based insights. The company’s sensors are fitted to the cow’s ear, which then uses machine learning (ML), AI, IoT, and GPS technology to monitor health, location, and behavioral patterns in real time. ProTag sensors also provide early detection of illnesses such as mastitis and lameness (leg and foot pain) using its ML algorithms. The company also takes into account the geographical presence in addition to animal specific data in its data analysis when providing its insights. The sensors are claimed to be low-cost and 100x more power-efficient than other GPS-based devices due to their lightweight and small form factor.The company aimed to capture the New Zealand market in the short term, with plans to expand internationally in Brazil and Ireland. In New Zealand, ProTag planned to conduct large-scale trials by the end of 2022 and has attracted interest from farmers in Waikato and the South Island.<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8266">In February 2022 </a>, ProTag raised NZD 1 million (USD 0.7 million) in a funding round led by Sprout Agritech. The funds would support the product development of ProTag’s sensors and would be used to conduct trials later that year.

Metrovate is a biotechnology company which enhance global health and sustainability via sophisticated research and development.

Jooules offers a sustainable food system to ensure a greener, healthier future by using fermentation technologies to create nutritious protein ingredients.

Vivici is a B2B ingredients firm that provides nutritious and sustainable animal-free dairy proteins manufactured with precision fermentation to food and beverage manufacturers.

ProTag offers tracking technology that will increase the precision of heat detection and lameness detection, saving time and money. To assist in managing the herd, it provides real-time data on the measurements, behavior, and welfare of each animal. They can streamline every element of farming and business by having access to data from any device that can be incorporated into an existing system.

yfood Labs is a food-tech startup which designs smart food solutions for a modern generation. The product portfolio currently compromises ultra-convenient and complete-nutrition drinks, drink powders and bars.

Motif develops plant-based food products designed to produce healthy food using genetic engineering and fermentation. Their food technologies enable CPG companies to develop plant-based alternatives that have the same meaty taste, appearance, and texture as their animal counterparts. They offer bioprocessing services, finished products, and food services.

Foodspring is a premium fitness food & sports nutrition company. Their goal is to bring sports nutrition to the next level. Their protein powder has caused a stir in the industry with its organic certification. With milk from pasture cattle, they have shaken old-established structures. And fitness-enthusiastic people encouraged to think. There are many foods. But it's about more. To the real benefit. That's why goji berries contain seven times more vitamin C than oranges. That coconut oil has a much higher heat resistance than olive oil. And that the vacuum drying allows them , in contrast to classic dried fruit, to get 80% of the vitamins in their Crunchy Fruits.

Dreamerz Foods, Inc. provides various natural sleep products. It offers natural sleep beverage, a dietary supplement in the form of an all-natural, creamy, and dairy-based functional sleep beverage. The company also provides chocolate pillows, soothing dairy products, and herbal fruit-flavored mix. It offers its products through stores and online shops. Dreamerz Foods, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Attune Foods, Inc. offers probiotic wellness bars. It offers wellness bars in various flavors, including dark chocolate, chocolate crisp, mint chocolate, and blueberry vanilla, as well as chewy chocolate, peanut butter and chocolate, mango peach, wild berry, strawberry bliss, and lemon crÃ¨me. Attune Foods, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Fonterra Cooperative Group is a dairy cooperative that processes and exports dairy products. The company is a New Zealand multinational dairy co-operative owned by around 10,500 New Zealand farmers.

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