The world market leader for collagen proteins, the German company Gelita, and the pioneer on the market for animal-free collagen, the US biotech company Geltor, intend to jointly develop vegan collagen for the food and beverage market. The two companies have announced their intention to develop vegan collagen for the food and beverage market at a trade fair.

Experience with biotechnological collagen proteins

Collagen forms the basis for gelatine. Until now, collagen has been obtained from animal residues such as the connective tissue of pigs and cattle. Gelita has been marketing gelatine for 144 years, by now all over the world. Now the company wants to enter the vegan market. Geltor is already developing animal-free collagen proteins for the skin care market, including marine collagen Collume and HumaColl21, a human collagen.

Under the terms of the agreement, Geltor will research, develop and produce suitable biotechnological collagen proteins. Geltor CEO and co-founder Alexander Lorestani said: "This pact further solidifies our view that we have entered a new era in how proteins are being utilized to improve products that consumers around the world use every day."

Premiere in the food market

Gelita wants to take care of the registration studies and the subsequent marketing of the vegan gelatine for the food and beverage market. "Our decision to invest in biotechnology is an excellent example of our commitment to innovation and the recognition of market needs," says Hans-Ulrich Frech, who is responsible for collagen peptides at Gelita. The partnership will complements the existing portfolio of bioactive collagen peptides and strengthens Gelita's position as market leader, the company said.

The market launch is planned for the end of 2020. These would be the first consumable biotechnologically produced collagen proteins in the world.

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