The “plant-based revolution” is not just one of the dominant international food trends, it is also a very apt description of the development of Hydrosol. 

A specialist for stabilizing and texturing systems, the company quickly has grown to become one of the key players in the burgeoning market for plant-based alternatives. Its product portfolio has expanded enormously, and last year this expertise was bundled in the newly founded “Plant Based Competence Center.”

Now comes the next step. Hydrosol’s unit for plant-based has become an autonomous company, and as of September 28, 2020, Planteneers, “The Plant Based Pioneers” are the experts for plant-based alternatives within the Stern-Wywiol Gruppe. This new subsidiary builds on the success of Hydrosol, and is likewise led by Managing Director Dr. Matthias Moser. 

Growth for both Hydrosol and Planteneers

“We intend to continue to grow with both companies,” says Torsten Wywiol, CEO of the Stern-Wywiol Gruppe. “With that in mind, it will be important to focus on each of their strengths, and further build on them for both brands with the appropriate strategies in each case. That’s the reason we separated the plant-based field out of Hydrosol. To put it differently, our former ‘plant based baby’ has grown up and is ready to strike out on its own. We’re bundling its capabilities in a dedicated company.” 

This is the perfect time, according to Dr. Moser.

“The category of plant-based solutions for alternative forms of nutrition has already attained remarkable scale,” he says. “But it still offers significant further growth opportunities, which we can make much better use of with a dedicated company and a focused strategy.”

Indeed, the conditions could not be more promising. According to A.T. Kearney, through 2040 worldwide revenue with plant-based alternatives to meat products will more than triple to USD $450 billion. For alternative dairy products, Future Market Insights forecasts a doubling of the market volume through 2029 to around USD $34.6 billion. 

Plant-based is also rapidly becoming a new normal in out-of-home eating.

“Through intensive research, creative ideas and tireless pioneering spirit, at Planteneers we intend to play an active role in shaping the future of the industry,” explains Dr. Moser. “We’re definitely moving beyond just stabilizing and texturizing. At Planteneers we’re concentrating on the development of trend product concepts in the growth categories.” 

Moser says the group’s focus is on plant-based alternatives to meat, sausage and fish products, dairy products and deli foods, as well as hybrid products.

Moser says Hydrosol will continue to apply its proven innovative strength to its core business: the stabilization and texturing of trend products for the dairy, meat and deli foods industry. He notes that this an important area as the worldwide food industry pays more and more attention to texture in foods. This is particularly the case for categories like “free from,” “clean label” and “lean label,” which continue to see rising demand. 

Hydrosol’s expertise in stabilizing and texturing naturally benefits its new sister company. Close communication between the technologists of both companies ensures that plant-based desserts have the desirable creamy texture and meat alternatives feature the familiar meaty bite. Through collaboration with the other Stern-Wywiol Gruppe subsidiaries, Planteneers can offer customers attractive system solutions from a single source, from stabilizing and texturing to flavoring and fortification. 

“We’re positioning Planteneers as a cornerstone within the group,” says Dr. Moser.

Issues such as environmental protection and animal welfare, as well as health, are currently the main drivers for consumer purchases of plant-based alternatives, and the growing world population is bringing a new dynamic to the field. 

“Plant-based alternatives are gaining enormously in importance. Planteneers is our clear commitment to this rapidly expanding category,” notes Dr. Moser. 

Torsten Wywiol adds, “With this new company we are developing attractive solutions and making an important contribution to the fast-growing market for foods from plant-based alternatives. It is our clear objective to establish this newest subsidiary successfully on the international market.” 

About Planteneers: 

Planteneers GmbH headquartered in Ahrensburg develops and produces individual system solutions for plant-based alternatives to meat, sausage and fish products, as well as cheese, dairy products and deli foods. As a member of the independent, owner-operated Stern-Wywiol Gruppe with a total of 12 sister companies, Planteneers makes use of many synergies. The company has access to the knowledge of some 100 R&D specialists and the extensive applications technology of the large Stern-Technology Center in Ahrensburg, Germany.

As part of the Technology Center, the Plant Based Competence Center founded in 2019 is the creative pool for alternative solutions and the heart of Planteneers. Customers benefit further from the Group’s international network of 17 affiliates and numerous qualified foreign representatives in the key markets. The Group also has shared production facilities and logistics resources. With revenues exceeding € 500 million and some 1,700 employees worldwide, the Stern-Wywiol Gruppe is one of the world's most successful international suppliers of food & feed ingredients. 

For more information:               

Anne Bünting, Marketing
Planteneers             
D-23570 Lübeck / Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)40 / 284 039-190          
E-mail: abuenting@stern-wywiol-gruppe.de