In a strategic move set to reshape the plant-based protein landscape, Meala FoodTech has partnered with dsm-firmenich to launch Vertis PB Pea, a biotechnology-derived, multifunctional pea protein texturizer designed to streamline ingredient lists and elevate the sensory quality of meat alternatives. Now available across Europe via dsm-firmenich, the product marks a significant milestone for food tech investors eyeing scalable, clean-label innovation.
Vertis PB Pea arrives as consumer demand for clean-label, high-performance food products reaches critical mass. Traditionally, plant-based meat formulations rely on a cocktail of binders—hydrocolloids, starches, gums—to simulate the bite and juiciness of real meat. Meala’s patented technology eliminates that complexity, consolidating emulsification, binding, and gelation functions into a single, allergen-free component made entirely from pea protein.
For food manufacturers, that means cleaner ingredient lists, simpler procurement, and better-performing products. For consumers, it means recognizable ingredients and improved nutritional value. Vertis PB Pea not only enhances water retention and texture under extreme temperatures, but also boosts protein content—allowing brands to market “high-protein” plant-based meats without artificial binders or additives.
According to data from the EIT Food Consumer Observatory, 67% of European consumers say they are wary of unfamiliar ingredients in their food, while 56% actively avoid ultra-processed products. This shift in perception is putting pressure on food developers to reformulate without compromising taste, convenience, or shelf stability. Vertis PB Pea is positioned as a turnkey solution for this next-gen reformulation push.
“This is exactly where our product comes in,” said Tali Feldman Sivan, CBO and co-founder of Meala FoodTech. “It addresses both functionality and clean-label demands, while replicating the sensory profile and experience of conventional meat products.”
The partnership with dsm-firmenich is not just about distribution—it’s a vote of confidence. As both strategic investor and commercial partner, dsm-firmenich brings regulatory expertise, R&D infrastructure, and global market access to the table. For Meala, that means immediate scalability and validation at the highest levels of the food industry.
“We’re impressed by their innovation-driven approach and deep understanding of the food industry,” said Meala CEO and co-founder Hadar Ekhoiz Razmovich. “From the beginning, they believed in us not only as investors, but as true partners.”
Related: Impossible Foods and OSI Group
With manufacturing already underway in Europe, the Vertis PB Pea launch signals Meala’s readiness to scale internationally. The company plans to expand into North America and Asia over the next 18 months, as plant-based brands increasingly prioritize formulation efficiency and transparency.
Vertis PB Pea is part of dsm-firmenich’s broader Vertis plant protein portfolio and marks a pivotal evolution in ingredient design: from piecemeal solutions to holistic platforms that meet rising consumer and regulatory standards.
Founded in 2021 by Hadar Ekhoiz Razmovich, Dr. Tali Feldman Sivan, and CTO Liran Gruda, Meala FoodTech is a next-generation ingredients startup focused on clean-label innovation. Its mission is to create smarter, functional ingredients that empower food producers to make better-for-you products without compromising performance. Backed by The Kitchen FoodTech Hub, dsm-firmenich Ventures, Lasenor Emul SPA, EIT Food, and Milk & Honey Ventures, Meala is part of a growing wave of science-forward food tech companies redefining what’s possible in the alternative protein space.
Plant-Based Meat Alternatives
These companies use pea protein to replicate the texture and nutrition of meat:
Beyond Meat – One of the earliest major adopters of pea protein; it’s the primary protein source in their Beyond Burger, sausages, and other products.
Impossible Foods – While it originally used soy protein, some product lines and R&D efforts involve pea protein as a cleaner-label or allergen-free alternative.
Nestlé (via Garden Gourmet and Sweet Earth) – Their plant-based lines include products that incorporate pea protein for improved texture and protein content.
Unilever (via The Vegetarian Butcher) – Offers plant-based meat options using pea protein as a key functional ingredient.
Maple Leaf Foods (via Lightlife and Field Roast) – Uses pea protein in several reformulated products in response to clean-label trends.
Kellogg’s (via MorningStar Farms) – Transitioning some products toward pea-based formulations.
