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Ingredion has partnered with Swiss biotech start-up Cosaic, aiming to enhance the taste and texture of animal-free foods and beverages using Cosaic’s yeast ingredient.

Cosaic – previously named Cultivated Biosciences – introduced its Cosaic Neo solution earlier this year alongside its name change. The ingredient is designed to enable manufacturers to achieve ‘dairy-like creaminess’ and stability across a range of animal-free F&B applications, from functional beverages to spirits and sauces.

Cosaic Neo is a natural, yeast-derived emulsion that includes fats, proteins and fibres that combine naturally to offer eight functional and sensory benefits in a single, clean label animal-free ingredient.

While today’s food products typically blend fats, proteins and carbohydrates from different sources, often relying on additives to bring them together, Cosaic Neo’s microstructure naturally integrates these molecules. This allows nutrients to combine in new ways beyond simple one-to-one replacements, eliminating the need for additives.

Ingredion will support Cosaic in implementing its go-to-market strategy, beginning with the US market. It will co-develop new products to expand the start-up’s portfolio, which already includes solutions for performance drinks, meal replacement shakes, dressings, sauces and spirits.

Mike Leonard, chief innovation officer at Ingredion, said: “From improved texture, to taste, to performance, Cosaic leverages a deep knowledge of biotech innovation to develop a novel, multi-functional ingredient platform that will allow us to innovate foods with customers in ways never before imagined”.

Tomas Turner, co-founder and CEO at Cosaic, said: “Partnering with Ingredion marks a pivotal moment for Cosaic. It validates the years of research we’ve poured into reimagining what ingredients can do, and how they can do better for people, businesses, and the planet”.

“Together, we’re bringing our yeast-derived emulsion to the world stage, transforming how creamy, delicious, and sustainable foods are made.”