Our precision fermentation process
While fermentation has been a cornerstone of food production for millennia, and precision fermentation has made significant strides in the pharmaceutical and food industries for decades, its application to producing dairy proteins marks a groundbreaking advancement.
Here’s a detailed look at how we harness this innovative technology to create sustainable, high-performing dairy proteins.
Strain engineering
We carefully select and genetically modify microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria. By inserting the DNA sequence that codes for specific milk proteins, we program these microorganisms to produce the desired proteins during fermentation. This genetic engineering ensures that the proteins we produce are 100% identical to those found in cow’s milk, preserving their nutritional and functional properties.
Fermentation
The genetically modified microorganisms are placed in fermentation tanks – quite similar to what you can imagine for beer production – where they are provided with essential nutrients, mostly sugar. As the microorganisms consume the sugar, they undergo fermentation, producing the desired milk proteins. This step is critical for generating large quantities of milk proteins efficiently and sustainably.
Purification
After fermentation, the mixture contains not only the desired milk proteins but also the microorganism and other by-products (such as salt or metabolites). Using filtration and advanced purification techniques, we isolate and refine only the milk protein of interest, ensuring the final product is free from the microorganisms used during fermentation and is not genetically modified, as per the EU definition. The result is a pure, high-quality product ready for further processing.
Drying and formulation
The purified milk proteins are dried to create a fine protein powder. This powder is versatile and serves as a sustainable ingredient in various dairy and non-dairy applications. It provides all the nutritional benefits of traditional milk proteins while significantly reducing the environmental footprint. From enhancing conventional dairy products to improving plant-based alternatives, this powder is the foundation of our solutions.
Functionalization
Through a combination of advanced mechanical treatments and processes applied on our recombinant native protein, we enhance the protein’s properties to meet the functional and technological requirements of different uses, such as:
- Improving texture and mouthfeel in plant-based dairy alternatives.
- Enhancing stability and emulsification in high-protein beverages.
- Creating stretch and melt characteristics for cheese alternatives.
Functionalization allows us to go beyond a one-size-fits-all solution, offering customized ingredients that cater to the diverse needs of the food industry.
Discover our ingredients
Functionalization unlocks countless possibilities, and we’re proud to offer a diverse portfolio of protein ingredients designed for applications ranging from dairy products to high-protein snacks and plant-based alternatives, amongst countless other possible applications. To learn more about each of our unique ingredients and their functionalities, visit:
- Rich in essential amino acids (EAA)
- Rapid bioavailability for optimal muscle support
- Highly soluble for seamless formulation
- Ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-mix (RTM) beverages
- High-protein bars & shots
- Fresh and pasteurized dairy
- Milk and yogurt beverages
- Clear neutral & acidic drinks
- Heat-stable & bioavailable proteins
- Enables high protein concentrations (>20%) while maintaining creaminess
- Low viscosity for smooth formulation
- High-protein fresh & UHT dairy products
- Acidic beverages
- Milky RTD formulations
- Superior thermo and acid-gelling properties
- Enables natural gel textures, meeting clean-label claims
- Ideal for spoonable and structured applications
- Fresh & pasteurized cheese
- Spoonable dairy & yogurts
- Desserts & meal replacements
With FermWhey™, we are redefining what’s possible in dairy protein innovation, offering tailored solutions that unlock new food applications, improve food formulations, and deliver unmatched nutritional value.
Welcome to the future of dairy proteins.
Welcome to FermWhey™.