SK Inc.'s investments are intended to accelerate the development of new food sources, such as plant-based and animal-free foods. These emerging food sources can help create more environmentally friendly methods of food production and make nutritious food options accessible to more consumers globally.

WM Partners, a certified diverse-owned private equity firm focused on investing in middle market companies and driving value creation in the health and wellness sector, announced that HPH II Investments Master Fund, LP, together with its parallel and feeder funds, through its wholly owned entity, has acquired Vega. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  

NovoNutrients, an alternative proteins company that uses industrial carbon dioxide emissions, cheap hydrogen and naturally occurring microbes to create high-grade proteins for human and animal consumption, announced a $4.7 million raise led by Hong Kong-based global venture firm, Happiness Capital.

Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80% of the world with its products and services, has selected Rebecca Lucas to serve as director of research and development (R&D) for its human nutrition and health business unit.

Flavorchem and Orchidia Fragrances, established leaders in the creation and manufacturing of flavor, ingredient, and fragrance solutions, launched a new co-branded website as a reflection of the company’s innovation and positioning to better serve the changing needs of local and global clients.

Kalsec®, a global producer of natural spice and herb extracts, colors, food protection and hop extracts for the food and beverage industry, celebrated the opening of its newest facility with a dedication ceremony on Thursday, July 22, 2021. The Don Berdahl Center for New Technology is named in honor of Dr. Don Berdahl, who retired as the company’s chief technical officer in 2019. Kalsec has invested over $10 million in the project, which will support deeper collaboration with its customers to deliver on consumer demands for natural and sustainable foods and beverages.

Wicked Kitchen, the renowned plant-based food brand and UK market leader in plant-based meals, is pleased to announce that it has completed a $14 million Series A funding round. The round was co-led by pioneering plant-based foods venture fund Unovis Asset Management and Thailand-based NRF Nove Foods.

Andina Acquisition Corp. III, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, announced that it has completed its business combination with Stryve Foods, LLC, an emerging healthy snacking platform disrupting traditional snacking categories and a leader in the air dried meat snack industry in the United States. The business combination was approved by Andina’s shareholders at a special meeting held on July 19, 2021. 

Aspire Bakeries announced the expansion of its Newark, Calif., bakery, with the addition of a new frozen cookie dough line for its popular Otis Spunkmeyer® cookies. As a brand in foodservice frozen cookie dough, Otis Spunkmeyer® continues to grow sales within the cookie category, and in foodservice, convenience and retail channels.

The American Egg Board (AEB) named Hema Prado to the newly created role of director of sustainability. Reporting to Dr. Mickey Rubin, executive director of the AEB’s Egg Nutrition Center, Prado will oversee development and administration of a comprehensive new sustainability program encompassing critical industry-level research and education initiatives with significant potential value to US egg producers and their food industry customers.