Following our recent summary of producers making alternatives to casein protein, below is a roundup of the companies using cutting-edge technology to make whey proteins with microbes; bypassing cheesemaking to retire cows from the dairy business.
Whey proteins, derived from the whey or the liquid portion of milk that separates during cheese production, are known for their rapid absorption and high branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which play an essential role in muscle growth and recovery. They have been widely used in the last decades as ingredients in protein powders and bars targeting athletes.
Whey proteins include β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, immunoglobulins, bovine serum albumin, bovine lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase. Precision fermentation companies mainly produce a bio-identical version of the most abundant of them, β-lactoglobulin, to craft the next generation of cow-free dairy. This protein offers gelling, foaming, and emulsification properties, improving the mouthfeel and texture of ice cream, soft cheese, and yogurts while enhancing beverages.
1. Perfect Day – US
The leading player in the field, Perfect Day was founded in 2014 as Muufri, and rebranded to Perfect Day in 2016 after the founders, Ryan Pandya and Perumal Gandhi, found a study by dairy scientists that discovered cows produce more milk when listening to the song “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed.
The company’s whey protein debuted in 2020, claiming to be the world’s first precision-fermented protein. The protein first launched with Perfect Day’s commercial arm, The Urgent Company, in various products, including Brave Robot‘s ice cream and California Performance Co.‘s protein powders. But Perfect Day sold this company to food tech innovator Superlatus tofocus on scaling production and expanding partnerships with large CPG companies
Multinational companies such as General Mills, Mars, and Nestlé have trialed the novel protein but have discontinued or stopped their efforts. On the other hand, Perfect Day’s GRAS whey has been introduced in other consumer brands that are enjoying success. Tomorrow Farms’ animal-free milk brand, Bored Cow, is available in all 50 US states, and Strive FREEMILK recently was served at the Miami Open. Unilever’s ice cream brand Breyers has launched a new lactose and cholesterol-free product made with animal-free whey protein.
2. TurtleTree – Singapore/US
Singaporean biotech TurtleTree has obtained the world’s first self-GRAS status (generally recognized as safe) from the US FDA for LF+, a precision fermentation-derived lactoferrin.
Lactoferrin is said to be one of the most powerful proteins in cow’s milk. It benefits human health, improving immunity, iron regulation, digestive health, and physical performance. It also aids endurance, fatigue resistance, muscle strength, and energy efficiency.
TurtleTree produces LF+ for infant formulas, plant-based dairy, and sports nutrition products, including protein powders, functional beverages, meal replacement alternatives, and multivitamins. Its first commercial partnership will see LF+ launch in functional espresso under the brand Cadence Performance Coffee.
3. Vivici – The Netherlands
Dutch precision fermentation startup Vivici has successfully scaled its platform focused on producing β-lactoglobulin. Vivici aims to supply leading F&B brands searching for sustainable whey proteins to meet the growing demand for animal-free, sustainable dairy products.
DSM and Fonterra founded the precision fermentation company in 2022, leveraging decades of experience developing and scaling bioprocesses. With this background, Vivici can expertly isolate dairy proteins in the downstream process and design applications to support its future clients with formulations using these bioidentical whey proteins.
4. Bon Vivant – France
French biotechnology company Bon Vivant claims to be one of the few companies producing whey and casein proteins using precision fermentation. This competitive edge positions them to meet the specific needs of food manufacturers in the growing plant-based dairy market, as casein is mostly used for cheese.
Last year, the company secured €15 million in funding to develop and commercialize its proteins, a significant achievement in a dairy cheese-loving country. However, the company targets the B2B dairy alternative market, specifically in the United States. Bon Vivant aims to help the industry meet the dual challenge of the growing demand for dairy products while limiting the environmental impact of its production.
5. Daisy Lab – New Zealand
Daisy Lab is a female-founded startup headquartered in Auckland. It was founded in 2021 to produce sustainable dairy proteins. In the last year, the startup has scaled its process for β-lactoglobulin and discovered three whey protein expression systems using yeast. In addition, the startup has been researching casein for cheesemaking and lactoferrin.
The startup has created prototypes of ice cream, yogurt, and cream cheeseto demonstrate that fermentation-derived proteins can make the same dairy products that consumers love.
Recently, the startup received approval from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to expand its dairy protein platform to 5,000 L, a milestone that will help the company install a pilot facility to scale its whey protein production for future dairy-free products.
6. Remilk – Israel
Israeli biotech company Remilk has obtained Health Canada’s “Letter of No Objection,” the US FDA’s GRAS status, and regulatory approval in Singapore and Israelfor its novel whey proteins, made with precision fermentation technology.
Remilk, founded in 2019, has received over $120 million in funding to advance its innovative technology for producing dairy proteins, eliminating cows from production. According to the company, precision fermentation not only addresses ethical concerns but also boasts significant environmental benefits: less water, land, and greenhouse gases compared to traditional dairy production.
7.Imagindairy – Israel
Meanwhile, Imagindairy, founded in 2020, aims to transform the dairy industry with sustainable, animal-free alternatives. The startup leverages precision fermentation technology and AI to create dairy proteins through microorganisms that are far more efficient than cows, converting feedstock into protein at a 20x faster rate. Its ultimate goal is to achieve price parity with traditional dairy products, making these sustainable alternatives accessible to everyone.
The company’s potential has attracted significant investment: it secured $13 million in a seed round in 2021, followed by an investment from Danone Manifesto Ventures, the corporate venture arm of dairy giant Danone, in April 2024.
Imagindairy has also obtained the US self-affirmed GRAS status for its animal-free whey, opening opportunities for new animal-free dairy products in the US. Recently, it partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks to develop even faster microbes.
Jennifer Wipf, CEO at Ginkgo Bioworks, shared at the time of the announcement, “I can speak for the entire team when I say that the samples that Imagindairy [has] shared are absolutely next level. If the rest of their pipeline is anything like what we’ve tasted, we can’t wait to try what’s next.”
