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Australian animal-free fats developer Nourish Ingredients has secured an agreement with China’s CABIO Biotech that the Canberra-based company hopes will unlock the potential for its flagship Tastilux product in the Asia-Pacific market.
Under the agreement, CABIO Biotech, a company that specialises in microbial fermentation and synthetic biology-based products, will manufacture Tastilux at its state-of-the-art facilities to deliver “efficient, quality production with minimal waste at global scale”.
Nourish Ingredients says this gives the biotech startup a pathway to enter the international market with the highest product quality and consistency.
Tastilux is a premium specialty ingredient developed by Nourish Ingredients from natural sources and produced through fermentation to provide a “meaty flavour, aroma and cooking experience” to alternative proteins.
Nourish Ingredients says the product is critical in winning over consumers to the plant-based market by providing a “delicious animalic taste”.
“Our strategic partnership with CABIO Biotech marks a pivotal moment for Nourish Ingredients,” says Nourish Ingredients CEO James Petrie, who founded the company in 2019 with chief technical officer Dr Anna El-Tahchy.
“By leveraging CABIO’s established expertise, we’re not only derisking our supply chain for expansion but also enhancing our ability to deliver high-quality, innovative food solutions at scale.
“This collaboration combines our cutting-edge product development with CABIO’s manufacturing excellence and market insights, positioning us to meet the surging global demand for superior food ingredients. Together, we’re set to efficiently produce top-tier products, opening doors to both the dynamic Chinese market and broader international opportunities.”
Nourish Ingredients says the partnership delivers a clear strategy for market expansion with CABIO assisting the company in spearheading distribution and sales within the Chinese market by utilising its local knowledge and networks.
Meanwhile, Nourish Ingredients will lead commercial engagement and sales in other global markets, with CABIO providing manufacturing support.
Nourish also sees the collaboration leveraging CABIO’s extensive experience in navigating China’s complex regulatory landscape, providing the Australian company with rapid market access for its products in China and potentially other Asian markets.
“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing biotechnology and delivering cutting-edge products,” says Jimmy Wang, the vice-president of CABIO Biotech. “Together, we'll set new standards in the alternative protein industry.”
Wang says CABIO has established one of the world's largest long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids manufacturing plants, with a full set of capabilities ranging from bio-fermentation, non-solvent extraction, refining, “winterisation”, and microencapsulation.
“For over 20 years, CABIO has supplied high-quality functional ingredients and creative solutions to nourish life,” says Wang.
“The collaboration between Nourish Ingredients and CABIO Biotech is built on a foundation of strong interpersonal connections and shared values, fostering an environment that promises to drive innovation and growth in the food technology sector.
“While the initial focus is on Tastilux, both companies see potential for future expansion into other product categories, leveraging their combined expertise and capabilities.”
The companies see the strategic partnership presenting a significant commercial opportunity that will allow them to meet growing demand in China for plant-based meat, while setting the stage for expansion into other APAC markets.
While China’s plant-based meat sector is a fraction of the broader market, the partners say this still represents a significant market opportunity.
China’s annual meat consumption is close to 100 million tonnes annually that they say even a modest 1 per cent substitution with plant-based alternatives by 2026 would create a market of one million tonnes a year.
Industry projections suggest this market could surge to a value of $3.5 billion by 2028, says Nourish Ingredients.
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