USA — Equinom has partnered with global plant-based food product and ingredient supplier AGT Food and Ingredients Inc., to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative non-GMO functional plant-protein ingredients produced from Equinom’s ultra-high protein yellow pea varieties.
Both companies are committed to developing innovative plant-based food ingredients that offer exceptional nutritional value and functionality and are made without the use of processing aids or chemical compounds that add cost and complexity and hinder sustainability.
Signaling this commitment, the companies will co-create a portfolio of minimally processed plant protein ingredients, optimized from the source crops themselves, to improve the taste, nutrition, accessibility, and carbon footprint of a variety of foods and beverages.
According to research firm Maketsandmarkets, the plant-based protein market size is projected to grow from US$ 12.2 billion in 2022 to 17.4 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 7.3% between the forecast period.
“To meet the growing global demand for better plant-based foods, we need more innovative, sustainably-produced ingredients that deliver on food functionality and fulfill the demand from both consumers and food companies for high-quality, plant-based protein products that are good for the environment,” said Murad Al-Katib, chief executive officer and president of AGT.
“This partnership will bring a new approach combining Equinom’s advanced breeding technology and expertise with AGT’s ability to make quality ingredients and food products.”
To meet the growing global demand for better plant-based foods, we need more innovative, sustainably-produced ingredients that deliver on food functionality and fulfill the demand from both consumers and food companies for high-quality, plant-based protein products that are good for the environment
Equinom’s yellow pea varieties were developed using its Manna technology platform. The AI-driven platform analyzes seed data and identifies desirable traits for food applications in new crop varieties that are both efficient to produce and deliver desirable taste, texture and performance in food and beverages – all without genetic engineering.
As part of the partnership, Equinom will provide its yellow peas to AGT, which will use its expertise in pulse fractionation processing to develop new, minimally processed plant-protein ingredients. These co-branded ingredients will join AGT’s existing line of non-GMO, gluten-free and hypoallergenic plant-based protein concentrates, flours and starches.
AGT also will be responsible for the marketing and sales of co-branded ingredients in its existing network.
Recently AGT launched the world’s first herbicide-tolerant barley variety borne of a strategic partnership with Albaugh LLC— the global leader in the production and sale of post-patent crop protection products, and Sipcam Australia— wholesale distribution of animal feeds, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, and other farm supplies.
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