Australia’s Nourish Ingredients and New Zealand-based dairy co-operative Fonterra have signed a collaboration to accelerate the development of dairy products featuring innovative fats.

Nourish Ingredients is engaged in the development of speciality fats and precision fermentation.

The partnership combines Nourish Ingredients’ precision fermentation techniques for animal fats with Fonterra’s expertise in the dairy sector and global reach.

Nourish Ingredients has developed new dairy-type lipid solutions that replicate the authentic creamy taste, aroma, and texture of dairy foods.  

Its Creamilux product is said to offer consumers the experience of full-cream dairy products.

The Australian firm in partnership with Fonterra will aim to drive innovation in dairy product development.

Both partners will initially focus on exploring applications across various dairy categories such as cheese, cream, and butter.

Utilising Creamilux as a key ingredient, the firms will enhance functionality while preserving the taste of traditional dairy products.

Additionally, the collaboration will extend into non-dairy sectors like bakeries, where Nourish Ingredients’ fats can enhance traditional dairy lipid applications.

Using these ingredients, the partnership is intended to unlock new opportunities in adjacent product segments beyond conventional dairy offerings.

Nourish Ingredients CEO James Petrie said: “This collaboration balances our passion for creating innovative ingredients with hard-nosed applications to unlock massive product opportunities.

“We are overcoming specific animal ingredient bottlenecks to optimise current animal-based food production capacity without losing quality.”

In January, the Fonterra team sampled Nourish Ingredients’ Creamilux product for the first time.

The dairy co-operative and Nourish Ingredients initiated collaboration based on alignment in mission and reputation.

Both companies agreed to used each other strengths to satisfy the increasing demand for innovative, animal-free ingredients across various food sectors.

Fonterra chief science and technology officer Jeremy Hill said: “Nourish Ingredients is taking a unique approach that aligns perfectly with Fonterra’s focus on leadership in dairy innovation science and being at the forefront of such innovative new food ingredients.

“By partnering together, we can explore new ways to help meet the growing global demand for great-tasting, texturally appealing products, that deliver an exceptional experience to our customers.”