Parabel has developed a water lentil (Lemnoideae) version called Lentein and Barentz will distribute it in international markets, a move that follows other giants like Buhler in Germany committing to alternative protein sources. Buhler is moving in the direction of insects and algae.
Lemnoideae can be harvested every day and doubles its biomass in 24-36 hours, Barentz said. Lentein is non-GMO and contains a typical plant protein amino acid and fibre profile.
Barentz envisages applications including “protein beverages and shakes, meat, bakery, pasta, healthy snacks, soups and cold pressed juices.” Animal nutrition, pharmaceuticals and personal care are also potential markets.
Future proteins
“New protein sources are in high demand and at Barentz we are eager to work with suppliers who can meet the demand of our customers,” said Barentz CEO Hidde Van der Wal.
He added: “Proteins as well as fibres are essential for human and animal health and looking at the future we know for a fact that there are boundaries to the production of animal based proteins…This ingredient seems a promise for the future and I am confident that our customers will explore opportunities with the application specialists in our labs to see how they can best use this ingredient in their product ranges.”
Parabel won the 2015 IFT Innovations Award and completed its full-scale manufacturing facility this year.
Barentz has been expanding its operations geographically in recent years as well as into areas like infant nutrition, medical nutrition and sports nutrition.
The company has been active internationally forming a partnership with an Oceania player Additive Solutions in 2014 and establishing a Malaysian office in Kuala Lumpur in 2013.
It has also been busy with acquisitions buying UK life sciences firm Forum Products Ltd at the end of 2011, taking a majority share in Rewe Group-owned Rewe Food Ingredients (RFI) in Germany the same year and paying an undisclosed sum for Italian ingredients start-up Prochifar in 2012.
The Barentz Group had a turnover of €919 million Euros in 2015.