Formulating Plant-Based Meat Alternatives with Nature-Powered Ingredients

When it comes to plant-based meat alternatives, consumers today have two requests: deliver a better meat-like eating experience, and do it with simpler, more recognizable ingredients. In this webinar with Food Ingredients First and Innova Market Insights, we talk about the latest plant-based meat alternatives market trends, global consumers’ needs and preferences and provide an overview of nature-based ingredient solutions available to help you formulate for success.

Starch Supply Challenges? We Have Options to Help

If you’ve been having difficulty finding starch, you are not alone. Between agriculture woes, energy costs, skyrocketing prices and other issues affecting producers, it may take a while for the market to correct and meet demand.

A unique opportunity

In food and beverage applications, starch is relied on for thickening, water-holding or moisture control, texture and mouthfeel in recipes. Without it, sauces separate, plant-based burger alternatives crumble, and syneresis occurs in yogurts and beverages. Replacing this workhorse ingredient can be a challenge but it is possible. In fact, your quest to find a starch alternative may have a silver lining. It could be an opportunity to find an ingredient that

  • is clean label-friendly
  • supports dietary fiber
  • is compatible with your process and can help simplify it
For example, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is a fiber ingredient that supports dietary fiber intake. With its unique water holding capacity, it can act as a full or partial starch alternative in a variety of plant-based, dairy, meat and beverage applications.
 
As an easily recognizable ingredient, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber has no E number and can be listed as citrus fiber on the product label. It is suitable for cold or hot processing, tolerant to broad pH and temperature ranges, and compatible with standard manufacturing processes. NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber can also help you meet ingredient reduction and clean label goals, as it is vegan, non-GMO, allergen- and gluten free.

NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is upcycled from sustainably sourced citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry near our plant in Brazil. With an abundant, nature-based raw material supply at the ready, we are well-positioned to help assuage any recipe challenges.

GENU® Pectin, with its unique properties, is also a potential alternative to starch. It offers thickening, gelling and stabilizing properties for a wide range of food and beverage products. For example, it has great setting properties for jams and jellies, and helps stabilize bakery fillings. 

In dairy, pectin ensures high-protein drinks are stable and thickens yogurt, all while providing superior flavor release and mouthfeel. As the world’s leading pectin producer, with 90 years of experience, we are passionate about this nature-based ingredient and can help you with any application challenges.

Alternatives to Starch by Application

Note: The ability to replace starch completely or partially is dependent on recipe, process and desired sensory profile.

NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is considered a food ingredient and can be listed as citrus fiber on the label.

*The standard of identity may vary in different countries.

Ask us about ingredient grades that can help you reduce or replace starch in your application. Our team of technical experts is happy to work with you to find the right ingredients to meet your product development needs. For more ideas on how to meet your unique goals, contact our team of ingredient enthusiasts.

CP Kelco to Showcase Bio-Based Ingredient Portfolio at SEPAWA® Congress

Technical Experts Slated to Deliver Two Scientific Presentations

 

ATLANTA, October 25, 2022 – CP Kelco, a global leader of nature-based ingredient solutions is excited to return in person to Berlin for the SEPAWA® Congress & Exhibition, 26 – 28 October. We are pleased to be exhibiting a complete range of bio-based ingredient solutions for personal care, fabric care and home care at booth C439-440. Attendees can find out more about our ingredient innovations for a sustainable future, especially for product developers seeking help with new eco-friendly formats and reformulation challenges.

The annual scientific lecture program at the SEPAWA® Congress is always a highlight with many interesting and diverse presentations. Once again, CP Kelco is proud to be part of the conference’s focus on sustainable innovations for detergents and cleaners. Two of CP Kelco’s top technical support and ingredient experts will share new scientific research and developments at the Forum for Innovation – Home Care:

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, 

  • 12:30 p.m. (in Room 12-13): Alain Phyfferoen will deliver a lecture titled Innovation in Fermentation-Derived Cellulose: Structuring and Stabilizing Fragrance in Fabric Softeners and Fresheners
  • 14:45 p.m. (in Room 9): Alessandro Izzo will present Meet Consumers’ Demand for Sustainable Innovative Formats with Nature-Based Solutions

CP Kelco’s bio-based ingredient portfolio includes CELLULON® Cellulose Liquid and ARBALON® Cellulose Liquid, which are unique, fermentation-derived cellulose suspension agents that are effective in concentrated, dilute-at-home formulations for fabric care, dish care and personal care. They help enable more eco-friendly, waterless formats with no compromise on affordability, performance or the finished product aesthetic. Ask about new cationic-compatible grades of CELLULON® Cellulose Liquid as well as COSMOS® certified, vegan, non-GMO and organic-compliant grades available in our ingredient portfolio.

CP Kelco also recently announced an exciting new partnership with ExoPolymer to develop and commercialize a portfolio of new functional ingredients for the personal care industry. The initial focus of this partnership will be to scale up production of ExoPolymer’s first product, a polysaccharide-based biopolymer to be used in high-end, skin care formulations for hydration, anti-aging, and anti-wrinkle performance. In partnership with CP Kelco, ExoPolymer plans to offer an improved alternative to hyaluronic acid that is highly effective, animal-free, genetic modification-free, safe and derived from plant feedstocks.


About CP Kelco

CP Kelco is a nature-based ingredient solutions company with approximately 90 years of experience working with food, beverage, consumer and industrial product manufacturers worldwide. We apply ingredient innovation and problem-solving to develop customized solutions that leverage our regional insights, meet manufacturers’ goals and address consumer needs and preferences.

  • Unique Portfolio. Produces extensive range of high-quality, plant-based and fermentation-derived ingredients to formulate tailored solutions.
  • Technical Excellence. Offers strong collaboration with a global team of scientists and applications experts, leveraging our regional state-of-the art R&D facilities.
  • Sustainability. Committed to providing responsibly sourced and produced ingredients.
  • Market Insights. Understands market and consumer trends to help customers create relevant and innovative products.

Our key product lines include pectin, gellan gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, diutan gum, fermentation-derived cellulose and NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber. Learn more at www.cpkelco.com.

 

 

Our Biodegradable Solution for More Affordable and Sustainable Home Care Formats

Inflation is now the top concern of consumers in Europe – and, likely, consumers worldwide as well. According to GlobalData, 66% of European consumers are “extremely concerned” about their budget.

One might think this would cause consumers to seek out home care products based on price alone. However, consumers also tell GlobalData that they are looking for value and paying attention to the ingredients. According to an IPSOS survey, 82% of Europeans prefer less plastic packaging too.

Affordability

66%

of Europeans are quite or extremely concerned by the impact of inflation on their household budget*

Natural Ingredients

50%

of global consumers pay high or very high attention to the ingredients used in their household care and laundry products**

Plastic Reduction

82%

of Europeans want to buy products which use as little plastic packaging as possible***

The Answer: Dilute at Home

Dilute-at-home formats appear to address these concerns. They can be a convenient choice that also offers consumers great value by refilling existing bottles at home. And, by switching to refill pouches, companies can reduce volume and weight, thus reducing transportation and fuel charges, as well as carbon emissions.

Formulating a super-concentrated laundry detergent poses several challenges to product developers though. Stability is a major issue. Plus, with the consumer adding tap water at home, the risk of over-diluting is also likely. So, formulators need to take into consideration a range of conditions.

The way to assure over-dilution stability is to formulate a structured liquid. However, most of the liquid detergents currently on the market are not structured. They use surfactants, solvents and hydrotropes that are not stable and cannot suspend insoluble materials either.

CELLULON® Cellulose Liquid
helps tackle reformulation challenges

Forms a unique 3D net

Produced by microbial fermentation

Effective in low or no water formulations

No impact on the finished product aesthetic

Very low use level needed

Fermentation-derived CELLULON® Cellulose Liquid forms a reliable, net-like structure that provides a high surface area by weight ratio. Because of its insolubility, it does not compete with water and is highly compatible in very high surfactant concentrations. It can also suspend fragrance, bleach, opacifiers and more, with little impact on your finished product’s viscosity, dispersibility or transparency.

With an extensive, nature-based ingredient portfolio, global service capabilities and innovative R&D expertise, CP Kelco can help product developers meet new format needs in the growing home care segment. Contact us for functional, bio-based alternatives to synthetic polymers and reformulation support from our rheology modifying experts.

* GlobalData: Consumer Survey Results: 2022 Q2 Consumer Survey

** GlobalData: Consumer Survey Results: 2022 Q1 Consumer Survey

*** IPSOS: Attitudes Towards Single Use Plastics

CP Kelco Partners with ExoPolymer to Bring Next-Generation Functional Biopolymers to Market

ATLANTA, September, 27, 2022 CP Kelco, a global leader of nature-based ingredient solutions that is owned by J.M. Huber Corporation, and ExoPolymer, Inc., a biotechnology startup company focused on developing new-to-the-world, polysaccharide-based biopolymers, are excited to announce a partnership to develop and commercialize a portfolio of new functional ingredients for the personal care industry and beyond.

The initial focus of this partnership will be to scale up production of ExoPolymer’s first product, a polysaccharide-based biopolymer to be used in high-end, skin care formulations for hydration, anti-aging, and anti-wrinkle performance. In partnership with CP Kelco, ExoPolymer plans to offer an improved alternative to hyaluronic acid that is highly effective, animal-free, genetic modification-free, safe and derived from plant feedstocks.

ExoPolymer’s mission is to create new, sustainable and highly upgraded functional and active ingredients to satisfy a wide range of existing and emerging market needs. It is one of the first industrial biotechnology startup companies to develop a completely new portfolio of polysaccharide-based biopolymer ingredients for markets such as personal care, healthcare and home care, for which sustainability has become an increasingly important characteristic to consumers and performance of currently available biopolymers is lacking.

In addition to an unwavering commitment to sustainability across its operations, CP Kelco brings robust capabilities in fermentation technology, manufacturing, quality control and commercialization to the new partnership. For approximately 90 years, CP Kelco has collaborated with many of the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturers to formulate innovative products that meet key texture and stability requirements while addressing consumer needs and preferences.

“Partnering with CP Kelco at this early stage is exceptionally valuable for ExoPolymer,” said Dr. Derek Wells, Founder and CEO of ExoPolymer. “Their decades of industry leadership, experience in producing biopolymer ingredients, and understanding what it takes to scale a fermentation process substantially de-risk our path to commercial success.  As we explore new and valuable functionalities of our technology, CP Kelco’s production capabilities and market reach will allow us to commercialize needed products at a heightened pace.  We look forward to teaming up with them.”

“We are delighted to partner with ExoPolymer to introduce a portfolio of new and unique ingredients to the marketplace,” said Didier Viala, President of CP Kelco. “The personal care segment and the broader CPG industry offer exciting opportunities for fermentation-derived ingredients that can deliver existing or new functional benefits in a more sustainable and/or more cost-effective way.”

“The ExoPolymer toolbox and approach are well complemented by CP Kelco’s industrialization and commercialization capabilities, making this collaboration a natural fit,” added Viala.

Beyond the personal care market, both companies plan to develop new ingredients which target existing and emerging needs in strategic areas for CP Kelco and to leverage their complementary capabilities to accelerate commercialization of ExoPolymer’s innovation pipeline. For example, polysaccharide-based biopolymer ingredients deliver a range of important benefits in food and beverage products and provide key functionality in alternative protein-based products. New and improved products derived from fermentation will be important in enabling the transition to more abundant animal-free products to feed the planet.

“CP Kelco pioneered the manufacture of carbohydrate ingredients by precision fermentation, and ExoPolymer is bringing an entirely new generation of these products to the market,” said Dr. Doug Cameron, Advisory Board member at ExoPolymer.  “Given the market need for next-generation performance and the challenges for startups in navigating production efficiency, capacity and scale, this partnership makes strategic sense for both organizations.”

About CP Kelco

CP Kelco is a nature-based ingredient solutions company with approximately 90 years of experience working with food, beverage, consumer and industrial product manufacturers worldwide. We apply ingredient innovation and problem-solving to develop customized solutions that leverage our regional insights, meet manufacturers’ goals and address consumer needs and preferences.

  • Unique Portfolio. Produces extensive range of high-quality, plant-based and fermentation-derived ingredients to formulate tailored solutions.
  • Technical Excellence. Offers strong collaboration with a global team of scientists and applications experts, leveraging our regional state-of-the art R&D facilities.
  • Sustainability. Committed to providing responsibly sourced and produced ingredients.
  • Market Insights. Understands market and consumer trends to help customers create relevant and innovative products.

Our key product lines include pectin, gellan gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, diutan gum, refined locust bean gum, microparticulated whey protein concentrate, fermentation-derived cellulose and our latest innovation, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber. Learn more at www.cpkelco.com.

About ExoPolymer

ExoPolymer is a biotechnology company focused on next-generation, high-performance biopolymer ingredients for the personal care, food, healthcare, and other markets.  We use existing natural diversity as well as modern strain engineering and fermentation to identify and produce a portfolio of completely novel and highly upgraded biopolymer products.  Early funding support from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, the National Corn Growers Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as select private and institutional investors allowed ExoPolymer to rapidly bring first products to their current advanced stage of commercial readiness.  ExoPolymer is based in San Carlos, California. Visit us at www.exopolymer.com

No Compromises: Formulating More Indulgent, Plant-Based Foods & Beverages

As more flexitarian consumers embrace plant-based products, we see that their purchases are a conscious choice. Consumers could choose meat or dairy, but they do not. They choose based on innovation, sustainability, nutrition and indulgence – and they do not want to compromise on quality. But what makes a product more indulgent? 

In dairy alternatives, indulgence is often associated with creaminess and richness. In meat alternatives, it can mean juiciness and an eating experience that closely resembles eating meat. Texture and mouthfeel are the deciding factors when it comes to indulgence.

Yogurt Alternatives

Yogurt alternatives have become a popular protein snack for all ages. There are a variety of format options to suit consumers’ every need, from drinking yogurt alternatives to spoonable yogurt alternatives and ambient yogurt alternatives. And there are a variety of plant proteins to work with as well: almond, oat, coconut, pea and blends. Whatever option you choose, consumers expect it to have all the great qualities of dairy – the same rich mouthfeel, texture, creaminess and appearance.

Textural challenges can arise from the absence of milkfat and casein as well as the hydration properties of different plant protein. Earthy or beany notes in your protein choice can also impact flavor. The secret to achieving success in plant-based yogurt alternatives is choosing the right stabilizer system. In addition to contributing to texture, body and mouthfeel, it can help solve the most common challenges in both stirred and sippable formulations: syneresis control, suspension of insoluble particles and protein protection.

Beverage Alternatives

In the ever-expanding and very competitive dairy alternative beverages market, texture and mouthfeel are what can drive loyalty. However, preferences are often decided by region and can vary from thin and silky to full-bodied richness. A nature-based stabilizer can help you tailor the mouthfeel of your beverage so it tastes more indulgent, provide stability, and enhance the suspension of nutrients or cocoa. 

From creaming and phase separation to viscosity, CP Kelco has the nature-based ingredients to solve any plant protein challenges and complement your formulation. And yes, it is possible to find a single-ingredient solution that can do the work of two. It can even provide a bit of cost savings by solving suspension and mouthfeel in one as you work towards cleaner label goals. After all, a long list of unrecognizable ingredients on the label may not match consumers’ perceptions.

Meat Alternatives

The plant-based protein advances in this category are happening at a rapid pace. However, getting plant protein to behave like animal protein texture is still difficult because it does not have the bite or chewiness of meat. For the first generation of meat alternatives, products were developed to replicate meat in order to appeal to flexitarians. However, it usually took a long and complex ingredient list to achieve this. For example, methylcellulose became a common binder, forming a firm gel when heated and helping to provide a firm bite to replicate the look and texture of meat.

The next generation of meat alternatives is about finding an indulgent, meat-like eating experience but with a more recognizable ingredient list. That means enhancing juiciness and texture, as well as finding clean label-friendly alternatives to methylcellulose.

CP Kelco’s Nature-Based Portfolio of Solutions

Let us help you find the best solution to meet your plant protein challenges and deliver more indulgent texture. Our unique portfolio is derived from renewable raw materials to preserve nature’s amazing functionality. Contact us for more information.

Bolstered by Strong Demand, CP Kelco’s Citrus Fiber Expansion Project Well Underway

ATLANTA, August  9, 2022 – Work is progressing on our product line extension for NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber in Matao, Brazil. The new build is well underway and expected to increase our total production capacity to nearly 5,000 metric tons, with options to further expand capacity as needed in the future.

With global demand on the rise and limitless market potential, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is definitely growing in its appeal. A renewed focus on healthier eating habits is driving the search for functional, nature-based ingredients. NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber was developed specifically to help formulators meet consumer demand for foods and beverages with less sugar and less fat, as well as simpler, easily recognizable ingredients.

NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is upcycled from citrus peels, an abundant byproduct of the juice industry that populates the region where our plant is strategically located. With this great local source of raw materials at the ready, we are well-positioned to help formulators innovate a wide range of clean label-friendly products – from dairy and dairy alternatives to beverages, condiments, sauces, bakery, fruit-based applications, meats and plant-based meat alternatives.

“With the sheer scale of this project and ample capacity we are adding, CP Kelco is positioned to be the world leader in citrus fiber production.”

-Didier Viala, President

CP Kelco’s award-winning Matão facility is known for its commitment to sustainability. According to William Letsinger, Senior Director of Strategy, the product line extension is being developed with the most efficient technologies to meet water, energy and emissions reduction goals, while also creating employment opportunities to help the local community. Our production of citrus fiber includes a proprietary and patented peel wash process, which drastically reduces the need for fresh water compared to traditional peel washing while also retaining a high level of pectin and soluble fiber. The project is scheduled for completion in Q3 of 2023.

Especially A-Peeling Facts about NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber

  • Officially launched in December 2019 at Food Ingredients Europe.
  • Upcycled from citrus peels, an abundant byproduct of the nearby juice industry in Brazil.
  • Our proprietary and patented peel wash process was designed to lessen its environmental impact by drastically reducing the use of fresh water as compared to traditional peel washing.
  • In addition, our peel wash process helps to retain a high level of pectin and soluble fiber.
  • Spent citrus peel is processed into animal feed. In 2020, we fed roughly 30,000 local farm animals with our BRASPOLPA® feed. What remains as liquid byproduct is distilled into FERPEC® organic fertilizer for nearby citrus orchards.
  • A fiber ingredient, it can be listed as citrus fiber on the label and does not require an E number in Europe.
  • Supports dietary fiber intake and offers unique water-binding and texturizing capabilities across many food and beverage applications.
  • Key applications include dairy and dairy alternative products, beverages, condiments, sauces, bakery, fruit-based products, meats and plant-based meat alternatives.
  • In certain applications, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber can help reduce use of or act as an alternative to starch, sugar, oil, locust bean gum, methylcellulose, egg and other ingredients that may be hard to source currently due to shortages and supply chain issues. Ask us for application recommendations.

The Clean Label-Friendly Alternative to Traditional Stabilizers for Meat Applications

Many of the current global consumer trends are having a big impact on today’s meat industry:

  • The demand for protein has never been greater.
  • Snacking – especially meat snacks as convenient sources of protein – is on the rise.
  • More consumers are cooking meals at home and turn to packaged meats for help.
  • Consumers are reading the package label and want to feed their family the best. They seek out cleaner label meat products that are free from hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives and stabilizers.
  • Consumers are very interested in more nature-based or recognizable ingredients.

There has been growing interest over the years to help meat producers find a cleaner label alternative to the stabilizers and phosphates traditionally used for meat and poultry applications. However, stabilizers serve several purposes. They help to increase water-holding capacity that leads to higher yield and stabilize emulsions, improve texture, and enhance other sensory properties such as tenderness and juiciness. Because of their functionality, it has been hard to find an alternative, let alone a cleaner label alternative – until now…

A Nature-Powered Solution

NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber is nature-based and upcycled from citrus peels, an abundant byproduct of the juice industry. A fiber ingredient, it is also a unique solution for solving a number of key challenges for meat producers:

  • Strengthens brand positioning as clean label-friendly and provides differentiation
  • Aligns with consumer needs for more recognizable ingredients
  • Can be listed as citrus fiber on the label*
  • Supports dietary fiber intake
  • Maintains juiciness and tenderness
  • Texture, color and taste of meat products remain optimal
  • Increases cooked yield
  • Reduces purge
  • Compatible with standard manufacturing processes, including injection

Want more details about how NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber performs in meat applications? Find out if NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber or another great solution from our nature-based portfolio is right for you. Contact us today!

*Not all products and claims are available/approved in all markets. Check your National labeling requirements for guidance.