Fonterra to develop fermentation-derived protein

Dairy co-op Fonterra has announced it is teaming up with Royal DSM, a health, nutrition and bioscience company, to establish a start-up dedicated to the development and commercialisation of fermentation-derived proteins that have dairy-like properties.

The two companies have worked together since 2019 to understand how precision fermentation can be used to make proteins that are similar to those found in dairy. This has resulted in patents being filed that will be used by the startup to enable the acceleration of commercial products. There will also be a focus on continued research and development of the technology.

While Fonterra remains focused on dairy products, the company said its work on the development of proteins using emerging technologies will complement the business.

Fonterra’s Chief Innovation and Brand Officer, Komal Mistry-Mehta, said: “The new startup is an exciting opportunity to combine DSM’s world-leading expertise in precision fermentation science and technology with Fonterra’s world-leading dairy science and technology.

“With fermentation-produced proteins having a wide array of potential applications for customers and consumers, this partnership aligns well with the Co-op’s strategy to be a leader in dairy innovation and science.

“By exploring the opportunities of nutrition science solutions, we can unlock the growth potential of our advanced specialty ingredients and play more boldly in this category.

“Dairy nutrition will always be our core strength, now and into the future, and there will continue to be strong demand for our sustainable, pasture-based dairy. At the same time, we are conscious that preferences of some consumers are evolving, and we believe proteins produced with emerging technologies can work alongside our dairy products.

“With continued population growth, there will be a role for both dairy and other sources of nutrition in feeding the world’s population — they offer choice and they are complementary.”

Fonterra and DSM are also working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using the latter company’s methane-inhibiting Bovaer technology in New Zealand’s pasture farming system.

Image credit: iStock.com/CreativeNature_nl