South Korean food-tech company Sujis Link has secured an investment worth KRW 3bn (approx. $2.2m) from Samyang Foods to develop new plant-based protein products.

Sujis Link was established in 2016, initially specialising in conventional processed meat products. It was the first company in Korea to adopt High Moisture Meat Analogue (HMMA) mass production technology from Swiss equipment provider Bühler, and has now shifted its focus to developing plant-based meat alternatives.

Its plant-based meat is made primarily from soya beans using High Moisture Extrusion, achieving a moisture content similar to that of traditional meat at around 65%.

Currently, the company offers four products: HMMA Textured Vegetable Protein Chunk, Plant Chicken Tender, Plant Hamburg Steak and Plant Meatball. Its plant-based brand, Veself, aims to target consumers who pursue a healthy and sustainable diet, aiming to shift the notion of a ‘healthy’ meal.

Jinwon Lim, deputy CEO at Sujis Link, said that the company will introduce various new plant-based protein products to both domestic and international markets in the second half of 2024, leveraging the investment from Samyang Foods.

Lim added: “Based on the taste and texture of high-moisture plant-based proteins that closely resemble traditional meat, we will develop and distribute a variety of frozen and shelf-stable K-Food products through Samyang Foods' extensive overseas sales network in over 90 countries”.

A representative from Samyang Foods’ investment team commented: “Sujis Link is a rapidly advancing food-tech company with exceptional capabilities in creating plant-based protein textures, outpacing competitors. We see numerous opportunities for collaboration, leveraging the infinite potential of the alternative protein market.”

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