Valio's research and product development team scientists will begin testing how Origin by Ocean's refined algae ingredients work in food products.
Origin by Ocean’s vision is to create a business ecosystem based on Baltic algae in Finland.
Less food waste
Snacks have become increasingly important in Finland’s everyday life, and this trend seems to not be settling down. It is possible to use natural processing aids from algae to maintain products’ texture until the expiration date to help in manufacturing. Having the product's texture in good condition will help to generate less food waste.
Valio said that, hopefully, future algae applications may lead into entirely new kinds of products.
Valio SVP for research and development Harri Kallioinen, said, “It’s great to be involved in supporting a Finnish company that is developing future food innovations from the algae in local waters. Until now, algae-based texture-controlling agents have not been available in Finland.
“We at Valio have accumulated a wide variety of experience of different ingredients over the decades, from milk to oats and berries. Now, it's fun to get to test an ingredient that’s all new to use with a young company.”
Origin by Ocean founder, Mikael Westerlund, said, “This is an important step for us on our path towards new products in the food and snack markets. We are aiming for more future use of algae-based ingredients in food products. What’s also important to us is having production close to the consumer.”