In yet another move to bolster their plant-based portfolio, DSM has signed an agreement to acquire Norwegian company Vestkorn Milling for €65 million (US$73 million).

Vestkorn, based in Tau, producers of pea and bean-derived protein, starches and dietary fibers for plant-based products. 

“Increasingly, food and beverage producers around the world are looking to partners who can offer an integrated portfolio of ingredients, expertise and solutions to help them differentiate and get to market fast,” says Patrick Niels, executive vice president of DSM’s F&B division.

“This is especially important in the highly dynamic meat alternatives space, wher consumer and societal expectations around authentic taste, texture and nutritional profile, as well as climate impact, are becoming more and more sophisticated.” 

The move is another step in DSM’s strategy to expand its alternative protein portfolio.Expanding plant-based capacities
The acquisition is a further step in DSM’s strategy to build an alternative protein portfolio, which includes CanolaPRO rapeseed protein isolate to launch next year, across Europe and North America.

DSM recently joined forces with French agro-industrial group Avril to develop this protein based, non-GMO canola. The facility of Saipol will be fully dedicated to producing canola proteins. 

“Over the past years, we have significantly expanded our business and market. With DSM, we have a long-term-oriented owner that will fuel further growth and expansion,” says Aslak Lie, CEO of Vestkorn Milling.

The proteins, starches and dietary fibers from Vestkorn complement DSM’s portfolio of companies developing plant-based F&B. These include vitamins, algal lipids and minerals; texturizing hydrocolloids, flavors, yeast extracts and enzymes to improve protein taste and functionality.