Fooditive and Frutco join forces on ‘sustainable’ banana sweetener

Fooditive and Frutco have teamed up to construct a new facility that will yield sweeteners from banana waste and bring the sustainable product to market.

The companies have formed a new partnership to bring the Fooditive banana sweetener line to Europe, as they look to improve health and remove carbon emissions from the supply chain.

Under the terms of the agreement, Frutco will use the Fooditive production methods for bananas and will industrially manufacture and sell the plant-based sweeteners.

Through its exclusive partnership, the companies claim they are investing in a sustainable use of resources in the food industry, using affordable technologies and supporting its customers in minimising their CO2 footprint.

To further strengthen its commitment to fight against food waste, Fooditive and Frutco are constructing a new multi waste- and residues-based biodiesel plant to process banana and other tropical fruits side streams into fruit extracts and sweeteners.

The plant will use Fooditive’s technology that enables the processing of all types of fruits and vegetables side stream, including by-products from food processing and non-food crops grown on marginal land.

“This project will be the leading future for better world, a world in which we use all types of plant-based side streams that can make and improve people life providing food ingredients that are healthy and sustainable,” said Moayad Abushokhedim, CEO of Fooditive.

Claudia Lauener Hofer, COO of Frutco, said: “Years ago, we made it our mission to be 100% sustainable by 2030, making the world a better place bit by bit and doing our part. With Fooditive by our side, we are now expanding our product range and creating a new sweet world, but one that is resource efficient and healthier.

“We are confident that this project will allow us to achieve another milestone in continuing to conserve resources, protect the environment and strengthen the health of many people.”

The project will commence in January 2021 and the fermentation plant is expected to open in mid-2022.