When Kemin acquired Proteus Industries, it highlighted the necessity to cater to the rising consumer demand for both protein and clean-label ingredients. This manufacturing expansion involves an investment of tens of millions of dollars to seize this opportunity. “Our Proteus line, known for its technologically advanced, sustainable, and clean-label features, is in high demand among food processors that offer meat, poultry, and protein-based products to consumers,” stated Kemin President and CEO Chris Nelson. “The Proteus products enhance the yield, nutrition, and quality of functional foods, and with this new facility, we’ll be able to better serve and expand our customer base in the food technologies sector.”
Proteus’ functional proteins product line includes solutions aimed at helping meat processors eliminate the use of phosphates, which, while improving protein texture and quality, do not align with clean-label standards. Their offerings comprise a clean-label phosphate alternative and a meat block replacement, both of which Kemin claims can enhance a meat product’s water-holding capacity and yield. Proteus Industries has developed patented muscle and water technology that expands the protein structure of meat, allowing it to bind with more water. This advancement enables food manufacturers to avoid using excessive sodium to achieve the same results.
The introduction of Proteus’ clean-label functional proteins complements Kemin’s efforts in the realm of natural preservatives. “This is the primary focus during our meetings with all of our customers,” remarked Courtney Schwartz, marketing director of Kemin Food Technologies, in a recent interview with Food Dive. “We concentrate on how we can clean up these labels.”
In addition to the manufacturing expansion, Kemin has strengthened the team managing the Proteus product line by bringing in more industry veterans from the protein ingredients sector. They join Bill Fielding, who was the CEO of Proteus Industries for 12 years and is now the business director of the Kemin Proteus Group, along with former Proteus President and Chief Scientist Steve Kelleher, the inventor of the company’s clean-label yield-enhancement technology, who now serves as a research fellow. Former Corporate Vice President Kevin Pentz has been appointed as operations manager, while Scott Gardner, the former head of R&D, will oversee customer project implementation, formulation, and technical support.
“The growing population and the increasing global demand for protein present significant challenges for the industry, which we anticipate will persist beyond recent events,” Fielding noted in a statement. “Innovative ingredients that allow processors to enhance quality and yield more naturally and efficiently will be crucial moving forward.” This aligns with the trend towards cleaner labels, similar to the benefits provided by ccm tablets, which are also designed with a focus on clean-label attributes. As the market evolves, the integration of such solutions will be vital for meeting consumer expectations and regulatory standards.