American cheese company, Leprino Foods, has partnered with Dutch plant-based ingredient manufacturer, Fooditive Group, giving the company exclusive global rights to produce non-animal casein manufactured using Fooditive’s proprietary precision fermentation platform.
Colorado based Leprino Foods is the world's largest maker of mozzarella cheese, and produces a range of cheese products, lactose, whey protein, and sweet whey. It has partnered with Fooditive Group, plant-based ingredient innovators and fermentation specialists, as a step towards a sustainable food future.
Under the terms of the long-term licensing partnership, Leprino Foods will have exclusive global rights to produce non-animal casein manufactured using Fooditive’s platform. It will also hold exclusive rights to market and distribute the product for use in cheese, and non-exclusive rights for all other food applications.
Leprino Foods Company president, Mike Durkin, said that the agreement with Fooditive highlights the company’s ability to innovate and adapt swiftly to emerging trends and technologies.
“By incorporating precision fermentation alongside our conventional dairy production, we will explore how this non-animal casein derived from fermentation will add to our product portfolio,” said Durkin.
“This innovation not only can enhance our range, but also holds the promise of reducing the environmental footprint across the supply chain, all while maintaining the highest standards of product functionality, quality, taste and texture.”
Leprino Foods and Fooditive Group stated that the commercialisation of Fooditive’s non-animal casein protein reinforces the commitment of both companies to drive innovation and sustainability in the food industry.
Fooditive’s non-animal casein is derived from a proprietary bacterial strain developed through gene synthesis and precision fermentation, which mimics the functionality and taste of traditional animal-derived casein.
Vegan casein has been a significant area of investment in recent years, with many production formats competing. NewMoo in Israel is producing casein proteins using plant molecular farming to grow them from plant seeds, and alternative routes include the use of biotechnology, from companies such as Pureture.
The industry is gaining popularity due to the more sustainable approach to production it allows, considering the 2023 global casein market clocked in at $4 billion, with an outlook to expand further from its usage in cosmetics and personal care industries. As casein comprises around 80 per cent of the proteins in dairy milk, and its emulsifying effect makes it essential in other dairy products, such as cheese, it is widely sought after.
Fooditive Group CEO, Moayad Abushokhedim, said that the collaboration underscored the company’s commitment to sustainability, and showcased the potential of its precision fermentation technology.
“We are beyond excited to partner with Leprino Foods in bringing our revolutionary non-animal casein to the global market,” said Abushokhedim.
“By offering high-quality, environmentally friendly proteins, we are paving the way for a more sustainable future and delivering innovative, plant-based alternatives that meet the evolving demands of consumers.
“Together with Leprino Foods, we are set to transform the food industry and make a lasting impact on the planet,” he said.
