NEW TECH FOODS

Asterix Foods has emerged from stealth with $4.2 million in seed funding to scale a new, low-cost alternative to precision fermentation.

Italian food ingredients company Foreverland has opened its first production facility in Puglia, Southern Italy, to produce its flagship cocoa-free chocolate alternative, Choruba.

ImpacFat, a Singapore-based company developing stem-cell derived omega-3 fish fat, has announced its expansion into Japan, establishing a research and operational presence in Tokyo.

A new Centre for Alternate Protein Research has been inaugurated at Aspire-BioNest, the University of Hyderabad’s life sciences bioincubator, with support from Cytiva under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

Australia’s Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has invested AUD 18 million (approx. $11.8 million) into its Mackay-based QUT Pioneer BioPilot, an upgraded, pilot-scale fermentation and biomanufacturing facility.

Biomaterials developer Marine Biologics has entered into an exclusive partnership with Molecular Quantum Solutions (MQS) to accelerate the discovery and commercialisation of next-generation, seaweed-derived functional ingredients and biomaterials.

New analysis reveals that the number of studies published on plant-based foods, cultivated meat and fermentation has tripled over the past five years.

UK food-tech company Clean Food Group (CFG) has acquired the assets of algal oil producer Algal Omega 3 out of administration, including a 1 million-litre capacity fermentation facility.

Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, has acquired CJ Youtell Biotech, the enzymes and fermentation subsidiary of CJ Bio.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) has announced a partnership with foodtech firm NotCo to accelerate innovation in the US market.

Terra Oleo, a Singapore-based biotechnology firm, has officially emerged from stealth mode, announcing a $3.1 million funding round backed by Breakthrough Energy Discovery.

Krones has announced significant expansions to its portfolio with the acquisition of a 60% stake in GHS Separationstechnik and the full takeover of Can Systems Worldwide (CSW) based in the Netherlands.

Estonian food-tech start-up Äio has announced the successful completion of its first full-scale production run of its sustainable yeast-based oil, reaching a volume of 1 tonne.

Digital twins offer a way to bridge the persistent gap between what’s happening on the ground and the digital systems designed to increase efficiency and productivity, observes Alex de Vigan, CEO and founder of French technology company Nfinite.

BlueTree Technologies has entered into an exclusive partnership with PCI Membranes, part of Filtration Group, to expand the use of sugar-reduction technologies in the beverage sector.

US climate tech company Nitricity has raised $50 million in a Series B funding round to accelerate production of its organic nitrogen fertilizer and expand operations into Europe.

Berlin-based start-up Nosh.bio has unveiled its first koji-based hybrid mince in a public foodservice trial with Speisemanufaktur Adlershof, aiming to demonstrate its potential for large-scale commercial use.

Icelandic biotech company ORF Genetics has raised €5 million to expand production of its MESOkine growth-factor portfolio for the cultivated meat sector.

Perfat Technologies has secured €2.5 million in Series A financing to advance its innovative fat alternatives, addressing critical health and sustainability issues related to saturated and tropical fats.

Tetra Pak and Danish biotech company Swan Neck Bio have joined forces to tackle one of the biggest challenges in producing fermentation-based foods at scale – preparing the seed culture.