“Unilever’s Strategic Partnership with Enough: Pioneering Growth in Plant-Based Innovation”
As Unilever aims to establish itself as a leader in plant-based products, forming partnerships with emerging ingredient suppliers can significantly enhance its journey. Recently rebranded from 3F Bio to Enough, this company may not yet be a household name in the U.S. fermentation sector, but it is making notable strides in the European market. Last month, while announcing its name change, Enough disclosed a commitment for 75% of its initial production capacity of Abunda, as reported by Vegconomist. Additionally, the company has teamed up with British retailer Marks and Spencer, which launched an Innovation Hub this year to develop sustainable food solutions, particularly in the plant-based arena.
In the U.S., Unilever’s plant-based products primarily focus on frozen desserts and condiments, including its vegan lines of Ben & Jerry’s, Hellmann’s, and Talenti. Meanwhile, in Europe, Unilever’s Vegetarian Butcher brand has emerged as one of its fastest-growing brands, boasting over a 70% increase in sales last year. According to a press release, Enough will play a vital role in expanding this brand and developing new offerings. Acquired by Unilever in 2018, Vegetarian Butcher offers plant-based chicken, beef, and pork products across grocery stores in 45 countries. The brand has also partnered with Burger King in over 35 countries, supplying Plant-Based Whoppers, Plant-Based Nuggets, and Vegan Royales.
While Unilever has been discreet about whether Vegetarian Butcher products will be available in U.S. grocery stores, this new collaboration with Enough could facilitate the creation of numerous new options, enhancing the Vegetarian Butcher line and introducing new product lines. Various companies utilize fungus fermentation to produce a wide range of food products, from Quorn’s extensive meat alternatives to MycoTechnology’s ingredients that mitigate bitter flavors and enhance sweetness.
Enough’s focus on its low carbon footprint is a valuable asset for Unilever as it strives to meet its sustainability targets, including its plant-based sales goals, which are linked to reducing emissions associated with conventional animal agriculture. On its website, Enough highlights its water usage, carbon emissions, and feed and resource efficiency compared to beef, chicken, pea, and grain production. The stark contrasts are evident: Enough claims to use 97% less water, have 82% lower carbon emissions, and consume 97% less feed than beef production.
For Enough and mycoprotein as an ingredient category, this agreement opens new opportunities, especially as the company is poised for expansion. Manufacturers exploring new plant-based protein options might take note of Unilever’s partnership with Enough and consider the potential mycoprotein can bring to their products. Following Unilever’s previous agreement with algae protein company Algenuity last year, CEO Andrew Spicer remarked that their collaboration invigorated the algae ingredient market. Mycoprotein—and fermented ingredients overall—are positioned for significant growth, with $435 million invested in the sector in the first eight months of 2020, as reported by the Good Food Institute.
Additionally, the incorporation of ingredients like Citracal Maximum Plus Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D3 could align with the growing consumer demand for fortified plant-based products, further expanding Unilever’s offerings in this competitive market.
