Phytolon

Phytolon is an Israel-based company that produces natural colors such as yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple, derived from baker's yeast fermentation technology. The company uses licensed technology from the Weizmann Institute of Science to develop natural food colors. The colors can be used in various food categories such as alternative meat, dairy, frozen, bakery, confectionery, and snacks. Phytolon’s primary focus would be on the US and European markets.

Phytolon's colors claim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90%, water usage by 95%, and land use by 88% compared to traditional agricultural-based natural colors.

In October 2023, the company began the construction of an in-house facility for pilot-scale production and supply of natural colors through fermentation. The company expected to launch its products commercially in 2023, subject to regulatory approval. In January 2024 , Phytolon completed the first phase of its joint project with Ginkgo Bioworks. The company was successful in creating betalain pigments from specially engineered yeast strains, covering an extensive color range from yellow to purple.

Key customers and partnerships

In February 2022, Phytolon partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks, a leading platform for cell programming, to leverage Ginkgo's biological engineering capabilities for yeast fermentation-based food color production. In 2022, the company signed a commercial agreement with DSM-Firmenich, a leading innovator in nutrition, health, and beauty, to distribute natural food colors.