Mycoprotein and green leaf protein gain early commercial traction in pet food

The pet food industry is entering a new phase as alternative proteins move from development into early commercial use, driven by sustainability goals, supply chain diversification and growing demand for novel nutrition. 

Across Europe and the Asia-Pacific, fungi-, plant- and insect-based ingredients are increasingly being tested in pet food formulations, with start-ups now securing regulatory approvals, scaling production and launching their first partnerships with manufacturers. 

Mycoprotein

After securing approval from the European Food Safety Authority in 2024 for its mycoprotein ingredient, Finnish biotech start-up Enifer produced its first commercial batch in March 2026.

This milestone comes at a time when alternative proteins are expanding in Europe and Asia-Pacific, with a growing number of ingredient launches targeting pet nutrition.

To become a viable commercial solution, Enifer has completed a 4-ton production run of its PEKILO®Pet, a sustainable fungi-based protein, “marking the first substantial volumes available for commercial pet food product development,” the company notes. 

According to Jeroen Schweitz, Chief Commercial Officer at Enifer, this enables companies interested in incorporating the ingredient into their formulations to conduct trials under real-world conditions.

First commercial agreements

The company signed its first commercial deal with Finnish producer Prima Pet, which began developing cat and dog food made with mycoprotein in partnership with Enifer, with a focus on gaining insights into the functionality and palatability of the novel protein.

The company also formed a partnership with another Finnish producer, Rovio Pet Foods, to launch a semi-moist dog treat made with the ingredient.

Enifer is working with other pet food manufacturers across different segments, supporting them in evaluating PEKILO for their formulations. “These projects are at various stages, from initial testing to more advanced product development,” the company tells GlobalPETS.

Enifer raised €36 million ($39M) two years ago to build its PEKILO production facility, and previously received a €12 million ($13M) grant from the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme for recycling and reuse initiatives. 

Green leaves alternative

New Zealand-based producer Leaft Foods, which specializes in extracting protein from green leaves, expanded into the pet nutrition market with the launch of Alfalfa Protein Concentrate (APC). 

“We have been working alongside pet food customers in the development of APC to ensure good fit, and working with leaders in frozen freight shipping, leveraging the distribution channels of frozen ingredients from New Zealand to the world,” CEO Ross Milne tells GlobalPETS. 

In addition to launching the ingredient, the company also announced a strategic partnership with Meateor Pet Food Ingredients for global distribution in the US. According to the company, it has products in the market or in active trials across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Germany and Canada.

Production 

Leaft Foods expects a number of customers to launch products this year.

“Hitowan, a pet retailer in Japan, launched a freeze-dried range featuring APC across lamb and salmon, venison and beef varieties,” says Milne. “Additional customers in New Zealand are developing kibble, freeze-dried and nutritional supplement products.”

Production is carried out in a 30,000 sq ft factory, which is also used to produce Rubisco Protein Isolate for human nutrition. The company is now focused on scaling up as commercial demand grows.

The ingredient contains protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin K, antioxidants such as beta-carotene and lutein, and key minerals, and it’s commercialized as a frozen block. “When substituted for beef at just 5% of recipe formulation, APC can reduce a product’s embedded carbon by up to 20%,” the CEO explains.

Farming innovation has received growing support from European governments and investment agencies in recent years, but investors continue to stress the need for commercial readiness. Successful trials could provide a boost to the sector, which has recently faced setbacks.