Tetra Pak partners Standing Ovation to advance alternative casein production

SWITZERLAND – Tetra Pak, a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions, has partnered with Standing Ovation, a French biotechnology company, to enhance the production of alternative casein for dairy-free cheese. 

This collaboration aims to scale up sustainable, animal-free protein solutions to meet growing consumer demand for plant-based and alternative dairy products.

The partnership focuses on optimizing the production process of casein, a key protein in milk that gives cheese its texture and melting properties. 

Standing Ovation has developed a proprietary fermentation technology to produce animal-free casein, which mimics the functionality of traditional dairy proteins. 

Tetra Pak brings its expertise in food processing and packaging to refine the production process, ensuring scalability and cost-efficiency.

The collaboration includes a €1.5 million (US$1.6 million) investment from Standing Ovation to build a pilot plant, supported by Tetra Pak’s advanced processing equipment.

Romain Dechamp, CEO of Standing Ovation, stated, “Our partnership with Tetra Pak is a significant step toward making sustainable dairy alternatives widely accessible. Their expertise allows us to scale our technology efficiently.” 

This initiative aligns with Tetra Pak’s commitment to sustainability, as it explores eco-friendly packaging solutions, including cartons made from recycled polymers.

Tetra Pak’s Vice President of Sustainability, Marco Marchetti, emphasized the importance of innovation, saying, “Collaborating with Standing Ovation enables us to support the transition to sustainable food systems while maintaining the quality consumers expect.” 

The partnership leverages Tetra Pak’s global network and Standing Ovation’s biotech innovation to address challenges in the alternative protein market, such as high production costs and limited scalability.

The global market for dairy alternatives is projected to reach US$51.2 billion by 2027, driven by consumer preferences for sustainable and ethical products. 

Standing Ovation’s casein offers a solution that replicates the sensory experience of dairy cheese without environmental drawbacks. 

The collaboration is expected to accelerate the commercialization of these proteins, with plans to integrate them into Tetra Pak’s packaging solutions for broader distribution.

This partnership marks a milestone in the food industry’s shift toward sustainability. 

By combining Tetra Pak’s processing capabilities with Standing Ovation’s fermentation technology, the companies aim to deliver high-quality, animal-free dairy products to consumers worldwide. 

The pilot plant is set to begin operations in 2026, paving the way for large-scale production and increased availability of sustainable cheese alternatives.

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