A major new global player with a premium-quality proposition has entered the thriving market for microalgae ingredients suitable for use in food, beverage and dietary supplement products. Allma, based in Portugal, supplies natural, sun-grown Chlorella powder that is free from contaminants and rich in phytonutrients, proteins, vitamins and minerals – creating a wealth of opportunities for new product development.
Allma has already finalised two partnerships in the food and beverage industry. The company has confirmed a deal to supply Chlorella to major Portuguese group Frulact, which supplies fruit-based ingredients to blue-chip food companies globally and markets jams, beverages and smoothies to consumers. Frulact has collaborated with Allma to develop an innovative ‘bubble tea’ containing tiny pearls of Chlorella that provide a burst of nutrition in every sip. Frulact is now seeking partners to take the concept to market as a consumer-ready product.
Meanwhile, leading Portugal-based frozen desserts company Santini is selling Chlorella-enriched sorbet in its chain of café-stores. Named ‘Greenfest’, the sorbet is made with pineapple, orange and lemon, plus 1.3% Chlorella powder, which gives the product a distinctive green colour. It has proved popular with customers, who bought 280 litres of Greenfest in an initial two-week trial.
Sofia Mendonça, Business Development Manager at Allma, said: “We’re delighted to announce these partnerships with Frulact and Santini, both of which are highly respected companies with a strong innovative streak. The two applications are both great examples of what can be done with our Chlorella, particularly as they are both quite different – one is a simple application and the other is much more complex.”
Pilar Morais, Innovation & Technology Manager at Frulact, commented: “Bubble teas are increasingly popular with consumers so we are always looking for new twists to add excitement in the category. Incorporating pearls of Chlorella is a great idea – one that will really catch the eye in-store – and the level of quality and service provided by Allma means they are the ideal partner. We are exploring the use of Chlorella in other types of products, such as savoury spreads. Results so far have been extremely encouraging.”
Eduardo Santini, Director of Santini, added: “Our customers are always looking to be inspired by new ideas and Greenfest, our Chlorella sorbet, has done just that. People are increasingly subscribing to the view that ‘green is good’, so a treat like Greenfest seemed certain to be a winner – and it proved to be a real hit.”
Allma’s Chlorella is grown at the state-of-the-art Algafarm production unit in Leiria, 100km north of Lisbon, in closed food-grade production systems, called photo-bioreactors. The photo-bioreactors are exposed to sunlight to encourage photosynthesis, mimicking the growth of microalgae as it occurs in nature. Sun-grown Chlorella is highly valued because it is exceptionally high in nutrients that develop naturally as a result of exposure to the sun. However, because Allma’s Chlorella is grown in closed production systems, there is far less risk of the contamination often associated with Chlorella produced in uncovered ‘ponds’ that are exposed to external elements.
Using gentle spray-drying technology, the Chlorella is converted into a powder that’s easy to use in a wide range of applications, including beverages, yoghurt, ice cream, cookies, snacks and dietary supplements – and many more. Beyond its outstanding nutritional qualities, Chlorella can also be used in foods to add a natural green colour that gives a product a distinct ‘health halo’.
João Navalho, Director of Allma, said: “The market for microalgae ingredients is very buoyant but most of what is available today is sold as a commodity with very little focus on quality. Our Chlorella breaks the mould in the sense that while it is produced in the high volumes the industry requires, it is grown to be far superior in terms of nutrient content and purity. Our entry into this market is a significant development because, for the first time, companies will be able to access the very best microalgae ingredients in the quantities they require, at competitive prices and produced in accordance with demanding European food safety laws.”
He continued: “Our mission is to take Chlorella to the next level in terms of its value as a food ingredient. We aim to be more than a company that sells Chlorella, but also a good partner that works closely with customers to find the perfect Chlorella solution for their products.”
Allma is able to guarantee the quality of its Chlorella thanks to a rigorous and ongoing testing and analysis programme. All of Allma’s Chlorella ingredients are manufactured sustainably in Portugal to HACCP food-grade standards. They are non-GMO and fully approved for use in foods by authorities worldwide, including in the EU.
João Navalho added: “There is growing demand for microalgae ingredients, but we believe the quality end of the sector remains relatively poorly served. Allma’s entry into the market will address this with an exceptional Chlorella ingredient proposition that is grown in the strong Portuguese sun and which is backed by Allma’s first-class customer service.”
