Unilever teams up with plant-based protein start-up Enough to expand vegan food range

Unilever has announced a partnership with Scottish food tech start-up Enough in a bid to expand its range of plant-based food products, with the consumer goods giant eyeing growing demand for meat alternatives over the coming decades.

Glasgow-based Enough - formerly known as 3F BIO - has developed alternative protein through a zero-waste fermentation process that involves feeding natural fungi with renewable feedstock, such as wheat and corn, according to Unilever.

The consumer goods giant described Enough's protein as "game-changing" and a natural fit for its growing plant-based meat brand, the Vegetarian Butcher.

Unilever's executive vice president for foods and refreshment Carla Hilhorst said the start-up's mycoprotein technology could enable the Vegetarian Butcher to develop and launch new meat-free products.

"We're excited by the potential that this technology has for future innovations across our portfolio, and we can't wait to launch more plant-based foods that help people cut down on meat, without compromising on taste," she said.

Hilhorst added that plant-based food was "one of Unilever's fastest growing segments". The Vegetarian Butcher, which was acquired by Unilever in 2018, grew by more than 70 per cent in 2020, driven in large part by its supply deal with Burger King, the company said.

The partnership with Enough forms part of Unilever's pledge to sell €1bn-worth of plant-based foods and dairy alternatives annually by the period between 2025 to 2027.

Enough's commercial director Andrew Beasley said the partnership with Unilever would help the start-up to scale. "Producing vast quantities of healthy and sustainable protein is one of the most urgent global priorities," he said. "There's a rapid transition in the food industry and we are excited with this collaboration with Unilever and The Vegetarian Butcher, which truly supports our aim to create impact and scale."