Finnish dairy company Valio has partnered with Swedish precision fermentation start-up Melt&Marble, to create ‘next-generation’ food products.

Melt&Marble uses precision fermentation technology to create animal-free ‘designer fat’ ingredients that can be tailored to a variety of food product applications.

The new partnership, announced today (30 January 2025), will bring together Melt&Marble’s proprietary precision-fermented fats with Valio’s deep expertise of formulation and food application. Together, the companies will work to develop innovative food products that meet industry demand for functionality and taste.

Melt&Marble’s fats will be studied in Valio’s food products, including next-generation plant-based products, as part of the collaboration.

The start-up, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, said the partnership marks a significant milestone in its journey as it continues to expand its footprint in the food innovation space. Joint development efforts are already underway, with prototype products expected in the near term.

Check out our 'Start-up spotlight' interview with Melt&Marble here!

Anastasia Krivoruchko, CEO of Melt&Marble, said: “We’re incredibly excited to work with an established and forward-thinking company like Valio. This collaboration is a key step forward in our mission to revolutionise the food system by providing high-quality, sustainable fats that offer the same taste and functionality consumers expect from traditional animal fats.”

She added that producing fats locally offers the additional benefits of increased food security and self-sufficiency.

Saara Pöyri, VP of R&D food product development and technology at Valio, commented: “Melt&Marble's proprietary technology allows for the production of fats that closely mimic the properties of animal fats, for example, the melting and juiciness. This collaboration is expected to set a new standard in the plant-based food industry, offering consumers high-quality options.”

According to Pöyri, Valio’s initial testing with Melt&Marble’s fats has yielded “promising results, showcasing improvements in flavour and juiciness”.

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