Israel:PoLoPo Signs Agreement with CSM Ingredients to Bring Egg Protein from Molecular Farming to Commercial Baking Market
Molecular farming startup PoLoPo, which grows egg protein in potatoes, is now working with ingredients giant CSM to develop egg protein powder for baking applications. Their joint goal is to supply a price-stable product that is cheaper, cleaner, and more sustainable than egg protein derived from chickens. Additional details are below; note as well that PoLoPo is now offering samples to the trade.
NESS ZIONA, Israel – October 30, 2024 – PoLoPo, a molecular farming pioneer, today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CSM Ingredients, a global player in food ingredient research, innovation and production, to help bring PoLoPo’s egg-free egg protein grown in potatoes to the commercial baking market.
CSM and PoLoPo will collaborate on developing PoLoPo’s ovalbumin powder for baking requirements, including foaming, gelation and water binding functions, as well as provide side-by-side assistance with process optimization, regulatory, and safety requirements.
Commercial baking and other CPG food categories use ovalbumin extensively for its functional properties such as texture, thickening, and increasing shelf life—ovalbumin from molecular farming offers the same performance in an ingredient that is cleaner, more sustainable, more affordable, and more price-stable. Popular applications for ovalbumin include pastries like croissants, muffins, and donuts.
In addition, CSM Ingredients group—a global ingredient-tech company comprising both CSM Ingredients and HIFOOD, an Italy-based developer and producer of plant-based, clean-label, added-value ingredients—has selected PoLoPo for Generate, CSM Ingredient’s group’s innovation hub for ingredient startups and food concepts. Generate offers R&D expertise, application opportunities, cutting-edge facilities and commercial support to its startups, including validating proofs of concept, shepherding market entry, and access to CSM business networks. Venture and innovation firm Urika Partners leads global innovation for CSM, facilitates the Generate program, and engages with all teams to accommodate the program’s needs and progress.
“Startups like PoLoPo are visionary innovators that play a pivotal role in developing concepts and pushing boundaries, and CSM is committed to bring these innovations to the broader food value chain,” said CSM Ingredients group Managing Director Christian Sobolta. “The global market for ovalbumin powder is projected to reach $36 billion by 2032, and PoLoPo presents an opportunity to change the dynamics of this category in a way that benefits planet and profits.”
“This non-exclusive collaboration enhances our strengths and capacity in meaningful ways, from R&D to implementation to opening more doors with packaged food companies that want to work with the product,” said PoLoPo CEO, Maya Sapir-Mir. “Commercial baking is clearly a key lane for us, and CSM’s technical and commercial expertise is strategically valuable for reaching that industry.”
PoLoPo uses proprietary metabolic engineering techniques to turn potato plants into micro-biofactories. Potato plants manufacture and store the target proteins in the tuber. Tubers are harvested when they reach sufficient size, then their proteins are extracted and dried into a functional protein powder that integrates seamlessly into current food processing lines and formulations.
PoLoPo’s first target protein, ovalbumin, will present a cost-effective alternative to an industry reeling from increased egg prices, supply chain instability, and avian flu outbreaks. The company has submitted for USDA regulatory approval, expected within six months, at which point U.S. partners and growers may begin cultivating PoLoPo’s potato plants.
To obtain a sample of PoLoPo’s ovalbumin powder, please contact [email protected].
Follow PoLoPo
Website: https://www.polopo.tech
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About PoLoPo
PoLoPo is a molecular farming pioneer producing proteins directly in common crops, beginning with egg protein (ovalbumin) grown in potatoes. The biotechnology startup was founded in 2022 by scientists with a deep understanding of plant genetics and protein expression. PoLoPo has won multiple innovation awards and has raised $2.3 million from leading food-tech investors including FoodLabs, Milk & Honey Ventures, CPT Capital, Siddhi Capital, Plug and Play, and Hack Capital. For more information visit www.polopo.tech.
About CSM Ingredients Group
Comprising both CSM Ingredients and HIFOOD, CSM Ingredients group is a global ingredient-tech company that develops solutions for the food industry with the aim of collaboratively enabling the evolution of the food ecosystem. With 8 manufacturing plants, 4 innovation centers, 1 open innovation hub and a team of over 1,400 highly experienced professionals, the company serves artisanal and industrial players as well as foodservice operators and retail chains in more than 120 countries. By combining its unique heritage and specialized technical expertise with world-class research and open innovation, CSM Ingredients group is committed to identifying emerging and growing trends in order to develop cutting-edge ingredients and tailored solutions for the bakery, fine pastry, dairy & non-dairy, ice cream, savory and gluten-free industries. Following the acquisition in 2022 of HIFOOD, CSM Ingredients group today also offers a deep expertise and knowledge of applications and use of natural products, such as new fibers, proteins, gluten-free cores, additive-free and plant-based systems. Together with Vitalfood by Italcanditi, Comprital and Rubicone, CSM Ingredients group is part of an Ingredient-Tech Platform which aims to enable Taste and Nutrition for a New World.
Please visit www.csmingredients.com to learn more.
