Kerry Group has formed a new joint venture company with Korys, the owner of Dutch plant-based meat alternative company Ojah.
Kerry will become the majority stakeholder in the new company, which will be co-controlled by both Kerry and Korys.
According to Kerry, the core aim of the joint venture company is to strengthen relations with Ojah’s current customer base and develop new plant-based products in future.
Ojah produces its range of non-GMO, gluten-free meat alternatives from plant-based proteins and water, and sells its produce under the Beeter brand in the Netherlands and under the Plenti brand internationally.
Kerry claims that the combination of Ojah’s technology and Kerry’s 40 years of market knowledge will allow the joint venture to bring “unique and innovative solutions to the market.”
Said Dr. Albert McQuaid, chief technology officer, Kerry: “As we begin to align and work closely with Ojah, we will be striving to work together to combine our collective expertise and knowledge, to bring new and innovative products to market, using the innovation, technological know-how and scientific expertise, which sits at the core of our two organisations.”
Added Frank Giezen, chief executive officer Ojah: “Our aim is to produce innovative, sustainable plant-based protein products to meet the needs of the rising flexitarian consumer.
“We believe this can be achieved by working closely with Kerry, our new strategic partner, who will bring their global presence and scientific knowledge and know-how, to help us develop even more unique and innovative plant-based food solutions to a global audience while maintaining our ingredient branding strategy.”
Commented Dries Crevits, executive director, Korys: “We acquired Ojah just over a year ago, as we saw the potential that this innovative organisation and its products bring to the market.
“Now that Kerry has become a joint-venture partner, this potential has increased exponentially and we look forward to seeing where this partnership takes us in the future.”
Source: FoodBev
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