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Sparkalis, the corporate venture arm of Puratos, has acquired a minority stake in the Netherlands’ Fooditive Group. Based in Rotterdam, Fooditive is focused on creating vegan-friendly ingredients that are “healthier for consumers, better for the planet and kinder to animals”. The company’s innovations include precision fermentation-produced honey and casein, as well as an upcycled calorie-free sweetener derived from apple and pear side streams. “Our partnership with Sparkalis will give Fooditive access to many countries worldwide where we do not already have a market presence,” said Fooditive's CEO and founder, Moayad Abushokhedim. “This will enable us to take our innovations to a wider audience and in doing so bring about the changes that are needed to ensure the food supply chains of the future are truly sustainable.” Following the investment, Sparkalis managing director Filip Arnaut has joined Fooditive’s advisory board, which now numbers 11 food tech experts. Arnaut commented that Sparkalis and Fooditive “share the same vision” for the future of the food industry. “We are both committed to facilitating innovative solutions that will change the way we think about food production and create a more sustainable footprint for the industry,” he added.