Yili to pilot nutrient microcapsule technology for beverages

Materials technology company Xampla has announced a partnership with Yili Innovation Centre Europe to deploy its nutrient microcapsule technology.

The scale-up from the University of Cambridge, Xampla, will collaborate with Yili to test and validate its microscopic natural polymer capsules for fortifying vitamins and nutrients in a new range of products.

The plant material is designed to protect ingredients in beverages, from production through to digestion, without changing product taste or texture. The technology is claimed to guard against degradation risks from UV, pH or heat shock in products, to ensure optimal fortification of wellbeing ingredients.

After 15 years of protein research at the University of Cambridge, Xampla’s partnership with Yili will help it scale the technology from proof of concept to full-scale production.

The Yili Innovation Centre Europe invests in startups across the dairy supply chain and is an active player in the global innovation ecosystem, driving innovation for next-generation products.

Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla, said: “Having the support of this leading global dairy brand has further strengthened our position as leaders in food and beverage fortification technology. We look forward to seeing our groundbreaking, world-first microencapsulation technology make its way from the laboratory to a market of health and environment-conscious consumers.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Irin Somsuppamongkol