Israel’s largest food manufacturer Tnuva, well known for being one of Israel’s main dairy producers, is branching out into non-dairy alternatives. The Israeli food giant is set to create a center dedicated to alternative protein for the first time in Israel, through an investment using a 5 million shekel investment.
The new center, to soon be built in Rehoboth (Rehovot), is part of the company’s vision to continue being a major contributor to food innovation.
Israel’s Largest Food Manufacturer Tnuva to Found Dedicated Alt Protein R&D Center https://t.co/BGurC0F9Vc
— Cengiz Adabag (@adabagcompany) June 22, 2022
According to Pnina Sabradalov, manager of Tnuva’s R&D and projects division, the center seeks to deliver an answer to consumers who no longer want animal-based protein. It will be an alternative protein and food product line that Israel has yet to experience.
“Our center is dedicated to the end product. And I think that’s what makes it more unique. Because all food tech companies are usually dedicated to the ingredient. And we are taking that special ingredient and combining it into the end product,” Sabradalov says,
Founded in the 1920s, Tnuva has a long history in great dairy products, but in recent years the company has seen more consumers walk away from traditional animal-based protein as many seek to be more environmentally friendly.
In January of 2022, Tnuva announced a partnership with biotech firm Pluristem Therapeutics to develop and reveal to the market lab-grown meat by 2023. The company is based on Pluristem’s regenerative stem-cell technology and Tnuva’s vast production power.
Seems like Tnuva (Israel's largest food producer and $PSTI's cultured meat partner) are going all-in on the alternative protein market. They could become of of the largest players in the game. #alternative #meat #stockshttps://t.co/sYoxaToOLS
— Rhino Stocks 🦏 (@StocksRhino) June 23, 2022
In February, the company announced it had launched a new venture capital fund called Tnuva NEXT, which is set to focus on investments in new food tech startups and companies.
Tnuva NEXT invested $7.5 million in the newly founded cultured food company created by Pluristem and Tnuva, with a corporate value of $40 million before funding, according to recent statements from Tnuva
Tnuva expanding its activities in the alternative meat and fish sectors.
— CTech (@Calcalistech) June 21, 2022
Following its success with alternative milk products, the company has launched an R&D center for alternative protein products.https://t.co/iWttJyNNgh pic.twitter.com/X847sgnpaI
Tnuva has also invested in Remilk, a company working on the development of cultured milk components.
In January Remilk raised $120 million in a Series B round led by Hanaco Ventures. established in 2019, Remilk has pioneered in yeast-based fermentation processes that produce animal-free milk proteins that are identical in taste to cow milk proteins.
