Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions sector
Strategic acquirers, private equity (buyout funds and growth funds) firms, and valuation benchmarks for Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions
1.1 - About Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions sector
Companies in the Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions category develop and supply plant-derived protein ingredients and turnkey formulations for food and beverage manufacturers. They produce protein isolates, concentrates, and textured proteins, and provide co-manufacturing and R&D support to enable alternative meat, dairy, and nutrition products. Strategic buyers in this space deliver scalable production, consistent functionality, and cost-effective sourcing across pea, soy, fava, chickpea, and other crop-based proteins.
Typical offerings span protein isolates and concentrates with defined solubility and PDCAAS targets, textured vegetable protein and high-moisture extruded fibers for meat analogs, functional blends for binding, emulsification, and gelation, flavor-masking and clean-label texturizers, fat and fiber systems, and ready-to-mix bases. Many provide application R&D, pilot plants, sensory testing, and contract manufacturing for patties, nuggets, crumbles, dairy-alternative bases, beverages, bars, and powdered nutrition formats.
They primarily serve CPG food manufacturers, alternative meat and dairy brands, foodservice suppliers, and private-label programs. Outcomes include faster formulation and scale-up cycles, improved texture, mouthfeel, and nutrition profiles, reliable supply with traceability and certifications, and lower cost per unit through optimized protein systems and extrusion. Customers also gain flexibility across allergen-friendly inputs and regional crop sources to meet regulatory, sustainability, and label-claim requirements.
2. Buyers in the Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions sector
2.1 Top strategic acquirers of Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions companies
Beyond Meat
- Description: Provider of plant-based meat alternatives, Beyond Meat offers burgers, mince, sausages, meatballs and stack-style patties made from plant proteins that taste, look and cook like traditional meat, giving food-service partners healthier, sustainable menu options with strong consumer brand recognition.
- Key Products:
- Beyond Burger®: Plant-based burger patty that "changed the game" and is the #1 selling food-service plant burger, delivering meat-like taste, texture and consumer recognition
- Beyond Breakfast Sausage®: Easy-to-cook, juicy plant-based links providing hearty breakfast protein without animal ingredients, simplifying kitchen preparation
- Beyond Chicken Tenders: Crispy outside, juicy inside plant-based tenders offering convenient, meat-style texture for operators wanting chicken alternatives
- Beyond Steak: Tender, juicy, seared plant-based steak pieces supplying beef-style flavor and versatility for salads, bowls and other menu items.
- Company type: Private company
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- Total funding raised: $●●●m
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2.2 - Strategic buyer groups for Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions sector
M&A buyer group 1: Novel Foods
Benson Hill
- Type: N/A
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- Description: Provider of AI-driven seed innovation that combines proprietary eMERGE soy protein genetics with the CropOS predictive breeding platform to create ultra-high protein, low-oligosaccharide and other quality-trait soybean varieties that deliver higher yields, improved nutrition and greater farm profitability across broad U.S. growing regions.
- Key Products:
- CropOS Predictive Breeding Platform: AI-powered system leveraging billions of data points to predict and accelerate breeding outcomes, giving growers faster access to new, high-performing seed technologies
- Ultra-High Protein Low-Oligosaccharide Soybean Varieties: Proprietary seeds engineered for superior protein content, reduced oligosaccharides and competitive yields, benefiting animal feed, food and biofuel markets
- Herbicide-Tolerant UHP-LO Soybeans: Next-generation varieties launching 2026 that integrate herbicide tolerance with high protein traits to simplify weed control and enable broadacre adoption
- eMERGE Soy Protein Germplasm: World-leading germplasm collection providing differentiated genetic building blocks for high-value soybean traits, forming the foundation for Benson Hill’s advanced seed portfolio.
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●● companies3. Investors and private equity firms in Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions sector
3.1 - Buyout funds in the Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions sector
2.2 - Strategic buyer groups for Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions sector
4 - Top valuation comps for Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions companies
4.2 - Public trading comparable groups for Plant-Based Protein Ingredient Solutions sector
Valuation benchmark group 1: Specialty Chemicals and Materials Companies
Ecolab
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- Description: Provider of water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services. Offers science-based solutions, data-driven insights, and on-site service to promote food safety, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy usage, and improve operational efficiency across various industries including food processing, healthcare, hospitality, and industrial markets.
- Key Products:
- Water Treatment: Solutions to optimize water usage and ensure quality in industrial operations.
- Hygiene Products: Comprehensive range of cleaning and sanitizing solutions for food safety and healthcare.
- Infection Prevention: Programs and products designed to reduce risks of infections across various industries.
- Energy Technologies: Technologies to ensure sustainable and efficient energy consumption.
- All-Purpose Cleaning: Multi-surface cleaning products for maintaining cleanliness in hospitality and foodservice sectors.