Döhler partners with Nukoko to scale production of cocoa-free chocolate 

UK – Döhler, a global leader in natural ingredients and solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with Nukoko, a British start-up known for creating the “world’s first” cocoa-free chocolate.  

The collaboration aims to scale the production of Nukoko’s innovative chocolate alternative, which is made from fava beans. 

Under this agreement, Döhler and Nukoko will enhance the scale of Nukoko’s patent-pending fermentation process from small 500 kg batches to larger 10,000-liter fermentation batches by 2025.  

The companies expect this expansion to boost production capacity to thousands of tonnes per month, enabling the commercialization of Nukoko’s sustainable chocolate alternative. 

Nukoko’s breakthrough lies in its fermentation technology, which mimics the traditional fermentation of cocoa beans, giving fava beans the same characteristic flavors associated with chocolate.  

This innovation offers a sustainable solution to pressing issues in the chocolate industry, such as rising cocoa prices, environmental impact, and socio-economic challenges related to cocoa production. 

The cocoa-free chocolate from Nukoko not only reduces carbon emissions by up to 90 percent compared to conventional cocoa-based products but also contains 40 percent less sugar and offers higher levels of protein, fiber, and antioxidants.  

This makes it a healthier option for consumers, without compromising the taste and experience of traditional chocolate. 

Rodrigo Hortega de Velasco, representing Döhler Ventures, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Nukoko’s technology presents a groundbreaking solution for the food and beverage industry. We are proud to support the scale-up of its cocoa-free chocolate, which aligns with our mission to drive sustainable food innovations.” 

Döhler’s extensive expertise in fermentation scale-up and food safety will play a crucial role in the transition of Nukoko’s operations from pilot-scale production to industrial-scale batches by 2025.  

The company’s understanding of regulatory processes will also help prepare Nukoko for a successful market launch. 

The partnership follows a challenging year for the cocoa industry, marked by extreme weather that has severely impacted crop yields in major cocoa-producing countries, including Ivory Coast and Ghana.  

Rising cocoa prices and environmental degradation have prompted the search for sustainable alternatives, making Nukoko’s innovation timely and impactful. 

In 2024, Nukoko raised €1.5 million (US$1.65M) to expand its operations and was selected for the IndieBio accelerator program in New York, further solidifying its position in the growing food tech industry. 

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