As food manufacturers scramble to hit sustainability targets and respond to growing demand for healthier products, one powerful lever is often overlooked: ingredients.
While much attention is placed on packaging, transport, and carbon offsetting, changing what goes into food, starting with the ingredient list, can yield dramatic benefits for both the planet and public health.
A growing number of suppliers are now combining functionality, nutrition, and sustainability into next-gen ingredients. Dutch agricultural group Royal Cosun is one such example. Across its subsidiaries, including Duynie, Sensus, Cosun Beet Company, Aviko Rixona, and Cosun Protein, ingredient innovation is being reimagined as a climate solution.
Take Duynie, which upcycles food industry side streams into high-performing functional ingredients. These can cut the meat content of a product while reducing emissions by up to 96%. Sensus, meanwhile, is advancing the use of chicory root fibre – an ingredient that boosts fibre content, supports gut health, and improves Nutri-Scores without compromising on taste.
From a sustainability standpoint, low-carbon ingredients are becoming a critical differentiator. Cosun Beet Company’s Fidesse, for instance, is a fibre derived from sugar beet pulp with a CO₂ footprint of just 0.383 kg per kilogram, well below typical benchmarks.
There’s also a push toward local, allergen-free protein sources. Cosun Protein’s Tendra line, based on European-grown fava beans, offers a non-GMO alternative to soya and pea – positioning it as a strong contender in alt dairy, plant-based meats, and sports nutrition.
These kinds of innovations aren’t just good for the environment; they help brands respond to clean-label trends, reformulation pressures, and consumer demands for healthier, more transparent products.
For food companies facing pressure to reduce Scope 3 emissions and improve the health profile of their portfolios, a smarter ingredient strategy could offer one of the most immediate and impactful wins.
Explore the full article and more insights on ProVeg International’s New Food Hub. For more support on your alternative protein strategy, get in touch with one of their experts at [email protected].
