Functional ingredients manufacturer Beneo has acquired Dutch company Meatless, broadening its portfolio with a versatile selecion of plant-based solutions that serve as texturizers for meat and fish alternatives. 

Beneo views Europe as a focus market for its plans surrounding the scale up of Meatless, with plans to further expand globally.

The move comes amid a huge rise in demand for plant-based products, with figures showing that the market for fish and meat alternatives is expected to grow by more than 10% CAGR over the next five years.

“Following the recently announced investment into our new faba bean processing plant, the acquisition of Meatless is the next logical step to reaffirm Beneo’s commitment to strengthening its business with solutions for plant-based alternatives,” remarks Andreas Herber, member of the executive board at Beneo.

The market for meat and fish alternatives is anticipated to to grow by more than 10% CAGR over the next five years.“Beneo and Meatless are a natural fit. Beneo’s raw material expertise and ingredient knowledge, in combination with Meatless’ technology and product portfolio, will provide our customers with a versatile plant-based toolbox for meat and fish alternatives. 

Meatless’ portfolio of textured plant proteins
Meatless, founded in 2005 and located in Goes, The Netherlands, is a supplier of textured plant-based ingredients with a portfolio of solutions derived from different raw materials – such as rice, faba beans, wheat, pea, lupin and quinoa.

The company’s founder Jos Hugense comes from a family of butchers and meat processors and was the third generation to run the family business. 

Meatless’ products are sustainable by design, with the production processes achieving a very low carbon footprint, supporting Beneo’s aim to use state-of-the-art production facilities to reduce total CO2 emissions.    

“The acquisition will allow for exciting new developments within Beneo’s portfolio, while also supporting the business’ sustainability ambitions,” affirms Herber.

The current management of Meatless will stay on board following the acquisition.

Jos Hugense, CEO, comments: “We are glad that Meatless can make the next step in its corporate development with Beneo. Beneoas a strong and experienced global player for functional ingredients will enable Meatless to meet the growing demand and further accelerate expansion of the business in new markets.”

Beneo business highlights
Beneo’s portfolio includes functional carbohydrates from sugar beet, prebiotic chicory root fiber, plant-based proteins and specialty ingredients from rice.

Last month, functional ingredients specialist Beneo completed a €50 million (US$52.6 million) investment in a pulse processing site based in Offstein, Germany, which focuses on protein concentrate, starch-rich flour and hulls from fava beans.

Among other latest company developments, Beneo’s Palatinose and chicory root fiber Orafti Synergy1 were found to have a synergetic effect in impacting both blood glucose and the microbiota, according to a citizen study.