FRANCE – French biotech company Standing Ovation, which specializes in alternative proteins using precision fermentation, is collaborating with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE) to advance the production of animal-free milk proteins.
The partnership involves utilizing AFE’s biomanufacturing facility in Nesle, France, to produce caseins, a key component in dairy products.
Casein, a protein found in milk, is integral to making products like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
Standing Ovation has developed a product called Advanced Casein, a non-animal casein powder designed to mimic the properties of traditional dairy proteins while significantly reducing environmental impact.
Established in 2020, Standing Ovation has focused on fermentative production of casein, contributing to France’s objectives for greater food independence.
By joining forces with AFE, part of the Japanese Ajinomoto Group with over five decades of expertise in industrial fermentation, Standing Ovation aims to address growing demand for sustainable dairy protein solutions.
The Nesle facility, located in northern France, is strategically positioned near Standing Ovation’s primary customers in the dairy sector.
The site utilizes locally sourced raw materials and renewable energy to support its operations. This geographical proximity is expected to optimize logistics for distribution to nearby markets.
Hiroshi Kaneko, president of Ajinomoto Foods Europe, stated that the partnership aligns with both companies’ goals to combine economic, environmental, and social impacts through innovation in food production.
Ajinomoto Foods Europe, known for producing specialty food ingredients like amino acids, operates a facility equipped with modern bioreactors and downstream processing systems.
This infrastructure is expected to support large-scale fermentation of high-quality caseins without the need for animal farming.
Standing Ovation has announced plans to introduce Advanced Casein to the U.S. market by 2025, with an eye on establishing itself as a leading innovator in sustainable food technology.
The collaboration between Standing Ovation and AFE comes at a time when precision fermentation is gaining traction as a viable method for creating environmentally friendly protein alternatives.
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