“ICL Food Specialties and Protera Biosciences Join Forces to Revolutionize Clean and Sustainable Protein Ingredients”
The partnership between ICL Food Specialties and Protera Biosciences has the potential to lead to significant advancements in novel protein ingredients and their global adoption. ICL Food Specialties, the ingredient-focused division of the global specialty minerals powerhouse ICL Group, boasts substantial resources, manufacturing and distribution expertise, a commitment to sustainability, and a worldwide footprint. ICL’s product range includes ingredients that enhance texture, consistency, and stability in plant-based meat and dairy products. However, there is a pressing demand for a broader variety of ingredients across the food industry. Research from the International Food Information Council last year indicated that nearly two-thirds of consumers believe that ingredients moderately influence their food and beverage choices, with a similar percentage actively seeking out products made from clean ingredients, defined by many as those that are “not artificial or synthetic.”
Hadar Sutovsky, vice president of external innovation at ICL and general manager of ICL Planet, noted that this collaboration could introduce unique ingredients to the market. “Once these functional ingredients are launched, food manufacturers will be able to accelerate the development of clean-label and sustainable plant-based products,” Sutovsky stated in the release. The ingredients that may be reformed through this partnership extend beyond plant-based items; processed foods of all types often include chemically derived components for emulsification, coloring, flavoring, and extended shelf life. While all food and beverage ingredients approved by the FDA ensure safety, the presence of chemical-sounding names on labels often deters consumers.
Protera has already launched a protein-based ingredient aimed at the broader food sector: Protera Guard, designed to inhibit mold growth in baked goods. Protera’s $10 million Series A funding round, which included participation from ICL, closed last July. The company informed Food Navigator that the funds would be allocated to scaling Protera Guard, with plans for a U.S. and Latin American launch in 2023, followed by a European rollout in 2025. Notably, Bimbo Group, the world’s largest baked goods producer, also participated in Protera’s Series A funding.
While no new ingredients have yet been announced from the collaboration with ICL, Protera’s founder and CEO, Leonardo Alvarez, mentioned in the release that the companies are “validating functional targets in the lab with unprecedented speed and accuracy.” This swift validation process could potentially transform the landscape of food ingredients, similar to the way gnc calcium citrate reviews have influenced consumer perceptions about dietary supplements. As the demand for clean and sustainable ingredients continues to grow, this collaboration could play a crucial role in meeting consumer expectations.
