FDBusiness.com

Nizo Food Research, Royal FrieslandCampina, Ruitenberg Ingredients and Sonac are joining forces as part of a new consortium called Tapas, intended to develop protein-rich foods.

The four companies, based in the Dutch provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel, are responding to the increased worldwide demand for protein-rich foods.

Global human population is growing and the world demand for protein-rich food is increasing; protein is crucial in a balanced, healthy diet. In addition, different types of consumers, such as the elderly, hospital patients and athletes, need food that is especially rich in protein, the companies said. These needs can be addressed by combining plant- and animal-based proteins and by using the available protein more effectively and efficiently, with the Tapas consortium developing innovative solutions to this end.

The four companies will bring knowledge and expertise from different angles, they said. Nizo Food Research has in-depth knowledge of proteins and the interactions between products and processes. Dairy expertise will come from Royal FrieslandCampina, which has several production sites in Gelderland and Overijssel and an innovation centre in Wageningen. Ruitenberg will bring its knowledge in the field of plant-based proteins for the vegetarian industry, and Sonac will contribute with its expertise in functional proteins – developed from animal by-products – for the meat industry.

The partners expect their collaboration to speed up the development of food products and reduce time to market.

The TAPAS consortium is financially supported by Operational Program Eastern Netherlands, a joint programme of the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland, the city networks of Zwolle, Kampen, Apeldoorn, Deventer, Zutphen, and Arnhem-Nijmegen, and the regional networks in Twente and The Valley.

The programme covers activities that are co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.