As healthier lifestyles and veganism are global trends, demand for plant- based foods is gaining momentum. Due in part to ethical beliefs, but also because rearing animals is costlier than using plants to meet nutritional needs. Vegan and plant-based products could therefore become key to overcoming the challenges posed by the enormous increase in demand for food.
Brenntag’s natural ingredients initiate the change in nutrition
By the year 2050, Earth will probably need to meet the food requirements of more than nine billion people.
In a huge country like India – home to 1.4 billion people, representing around 18 percent of the world’s total popu- lation – the market for plant-based manufactured foods is still very small, although more than a third of the people in India eat a vegetarian diet. We at Brenntag therefore see the potential in this market over the coming years. “If you have ever eaten at an Indian restaurant, you will know that the plethora of spices and the tastes created in combining flavors are unique to India,” says Ramkumar PS, Regional Commercial Director for Nutrition in South Asia, Taiwan and Korea at Brenntag Ingredients India.
So, creating plant-based foods for this market is a rather challenging endeavor. As Ramkumar PS explains: “The texture of the products needs to be just right, otherwise people won’t accept them. But at Brenntag, we have experts in our Food & Nutrition department who have the knowledge to create tailor-made formulation and application solutions for our customers willing to take on the challenge.”