Bel Group and the start-up Standing Ovation have announced an exclusive partnership to incorporate casein milk protein, the main milk proteins, produced thanks to Standing Ovation’s technology, in Bel’s alternative cheese offerings. In September, Bel acquired an equity stake in Standing Ovation.
This partnership represents a unique competitive lever for both players. Bel, true to its pioneering spirit, is pursuing its strategy of innovation for the future of food. Standing Ovation is accelerating the development of its technology and its concrete application.
Standing Ovation has developed an innovative precision fermentation process that produces caseins of non-animal origin. These proteins are identical to those naturally present in milk, and provide all the nutritional qualities, functionality, and traditional good taste of cheese. Standing Ovation’s casein protein also paves the way for products with a lower environmental impact and greater accessibility.
Said Caroline Sorlin, Bel Group Chief Venture Officer: “I am delighted with this exclusive partnership which perfectly illustrates how our Group is committed to FoodTech for the future of food. It also demonstrates the confidence that innovative start-ups like Standing Ovation have in us to transform the food model. Combining the knowledge and skills of such a start-up and a Group like ours guarantees that we will be able to offer products that will meet consumers’ expectations tomorrow.”
Added Anne Pitkowski, Bel Group Research and Application Director: “Caseins are essential to the quality of cheeses – they are nutritious and provide firmness, texture, and the capacity to melt. Standing Ovation’s technology combined with our knowledge of the links between structure and function will enable all these features – and more – to be developed. Our unique cheese-making expertise will put these advances into practice. This partnership opens many possibilities for imagining tomorrow’s cheese recipes and products, combining nutritional quality, accessibility, and responsibility.”
Concluded Frédéric Pâques and Romain Chayot, respectively President and Scientific Director, co-founders of Standing Ovation: “We have developed a unique process to produce non-animal caseins. Our ambition today is to see the first products arrive on the market quickly, with a very wide distribution. We are proud to partner with Bel Group to accelerate the deployment of these alternative proteins, whose market is growing exponentially, and where we want to play a key role. We look forward to working with a Group with proven cheese expertise, iconic brands and a collaboration model that is ideal for start-ups.” For more visit groupe-bel.com
