• Groupe Bel and Standing Ovation, have introduced a groundbreaking precision fermentation process to transform dairy effluents like whey into casein proteins.
• Standing Ovation's patented precision fermentation technology can transform serums supplied by Groupe Bel into functional proteins, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional dairy supply chains.

A disruptive innovation for a sustainable food supply
Groupe Bel and Standing Ovation, a French biotech pioneer specializing in the production of alternative proteins and an expert in precision fermentation applied to dairy proteins, announce a major technological breakthrough in the dairy industry with the introduction of an innovative precision fermentation process allowing to valorize dairy effluents such as whey into casein proteins. This unique innovation is part of a dynamic circular economy and meets the challenges of food sovereignty and sustainability.

An innovative technology to optimize dairy resources
Caseins are the main protein in milk, essential for the manufacture of many dairy products. Today, some of the acid whey from cheese production remains under-utilized. Thanks to its patented precision fermentation technology, Standing Ovation has developed a process capable of transforming the serums supplied by Groupe Bel into functional proteins, thus offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional dairy supply chains.

A circular economy model applied to the dairy industry
The partnership between Bel and Standing Ovation is based on a sustainable and responsible approach to dairy farming: 

• Waste reduction: transforming a by-product into a valuable resource. 
• Optimizing production flows: integrating serums into an innovative value chain. 
• Commitment to sustainability: a technology that reduces carbon footprint and promotes more resource-efficient production.

A step forward in line with Bel's strategy
This collaboration is fully in line with the Bel Group's vision of achieving zero destruction of edible products and 100% recovery of food waste when destruction is unavoidable. By integrating innovative technological solutions, Bel is strengthening its commitment to a more virtuous and circular production model.

Through this partnership, the two companies aim to :

• Accelerate the industrialization of the precision fermentation process applied to serums.
• Develop industrial applications for dairy caseins in various food products.
• Actively contribute to the evolution of agri-food practices towards a more sustainable management of resources and thus support food sovereignty.

"This partnership illustrates how Bel is committed to FoodTech for the future of food and food sovereignty. It also demonstrates the confidence innovative start-ups such as Standing Ovation have in us to transform the food model. Standing Ovation's technology, combined with our cheese-making expertise, enables us to put this technological innovation into practice, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for imagining tomorrow's recipes and products, combining nutritional quality, accessibility and responsibility. It's a guarantee that we'll be able to offer products that meet the expectations of tomorrow's consumers," emphasizes Caroline Sorlin, Director of Investments and Collaborations with Startups at Groupe Bel.

"Thanks to this process, which represents a breakthrough innovation for the entire dairy industry, we are optimizing the manufacture of dairy products by enabling manufacturers to reintegrate whey directly into their production cycle. This local and circular approach reduces losses and reinforces supply at source, a key issue for the future of the sector and the major challenges of food sovereignty in Europe and worldwide," explains Romain Chayot, co-founder and Scientific Director of Standing Ovation.

"The acid whey serum contains minerals, sugar (lactose), organic acids, and very little protein. The process developed by Standing Ovation offers a new, sustainable source of protein, produced through
fermentation from a by-product of the dairy industry. This partnership with BEL is particularly meaningful, as it embodies all of our core values: innovation, circular economy, sustainable development, and support for food sovereignty in Europe and around the world " adds Yvan Chardonnens, CEO of Standing Ovation.

"We're proud to partner with Standing Ovation to develop this innovation, which illustrates our commitment to more sustainable food and our desire to reduce our environmental footprint while maximizing the value of our breeder-partners’ dairy resources. By valorizing existing resources with innovative approaches, we are promoting greater protein autonomy while preserving the natural resources essential to our industry," emphasizes Anne Pitkowski, Bel Group Research and Applications Director.