PoLoPo and CSM Ingredients partner to bring egg protein from molecular farming to the baking industry

oLoPo, a leader in molecular farming, has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with CSM Ingredients, a major name in food ingredient innovation and production, to bring PoLoPo’s innovative potato-based egg protein to the commercial baking market. The partnership aims to develop PoLoPo’s ovalbumin powder, focusing on baking functions like foaming, gelation, and water binding, and to collaborate on process optimization, regulatory, and safety requirements.

PoLoPo’s ovalbumin, a plant-grown alternative to traditional egg protein, offers the same functional benefits for baking, including texture, thickening, and extended shelf life, while being a cleaner and more sustainable ingredient. This approach addresses the industry’s demand for functional, stable ingredients, making it an attractive choice for products like croissants, muffins, and donuts.

The collaboration also sees PoLoPo joining Generate, CSM’s innovation hub that supports startups with R&D expertise, application facilities, and commercial guidance. Generate aims to accelerate ingredient startups by validating concepts, guiding market entry, and facilitating connections with CSM’s extensive business network. Supported by Urika Partners, CSM’s venture and innovation firm, Generate works closely with each startup to foster growth and meet the program’s goals.

“Startups such as PoLoPo are visionary innovators that play a pivotal role in developing concepts and pushing boundaries, and CSM is committed to bringing these innovations to the broader food value chain,” said CSM Ingredients Managing Director Christian Sobolta. He emphasized that, with the ovalbumin powder market projected to reach US$36 billion by 2032, PoLoPo’s approach can reshape the category by offering a sustainable and profitable alternative.

“This non-exclusive collaboration strengthens our capacity in meaningful ways, from R&D to implementation, and opens new doors with packaged food companies looking to work with our product,” added PoLoPo CEO Maya Sapir-Mir. “Commercial baking is a priority for us, and CSM’s technical and commercial expertise is crucial to entering this market.”

PoLoPo’s proprietary metabolic engineering technology enables potato plants to produce and store targeted proteins in their tubers, which are harvested once mature, then processed into a protein powder ready for integration into existing food production lines. The company’s focus on ovalbumin provides a cost-effective, stable protein source for an industry affected by fluctuating egg prices, supply issues, and health crises like avian flu.

Currently pursuing USDA regulatory approval, PoLoPo expects clearance within six months, allowing U.S. partners and growers to begin cultivating PoLoPo’s protein-rich potatoes and advancing the availability of this innovative ingredient for commercial use.