May 23, 2022

photo credit: Motif FoodWorks

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

Launched in Boston in March 2019 by Ginkgo Bioworks, Motif FoodWorks began with a mission to develop next-generation alternative proteins and ingredients for global companies. 

This mission has drawn the attention of Robert Downey Jr.s’ FootPrint Coalition Ventures, which in Robert Downey Jr.’s own words is “a group of investors, technologists, and storytellers committed to scaling enviro-tech solutions”.

Along with this investment, the companies will be entering into a partnership for the development of “new-to-the-world” plant-based foods.

Taking a new food science and design approach, and integrating food technologies developed through precision fermentation and material science breakthroughs, Motif FoodWorks is growing just as consumers push back against the environmental effects and animal welfare concerns connected with animal protein production.

Global protein consumption is expected to climb at a CAGR of 1.7 percent, reaching 943 million tons by 2054, according to Lux Research. Over this same time period, alternative protein sources are forecast to command up to a third of the protein market. 

The plant-based food market grew by 27 percent to reach $7 billion in 2020, nearly double the growth rate of overall U.S. food retail sales during the same time period. And in  2021 alone, U.S. plant-based food sales grew three times faster than total food sales, to $74 billion, according to SPINS, with investments in the industry reaching a record $5 billion, reflecting a 60 percent year-on-year increase. 

However, despite its meteoric growth, the plant-based meat market has room for improvement, especially concerning taste and sustainability as 67 percent of Americans say they’d be more willing to eat plant-based foods in place of meat if plant-based foods tasted better than they currently do. 

“If plant-based foods are going to make a real impact on sustainability, we need an approach that’s both delicious and nutritious,” said Robert Downey Jr., founder of FootPrint Coalition Ventures. “By focusing on both better tasting and healthier options, Motif is not only making a difference in products today, but reimagining the future of tomorrow’s plant-based foods.”

Together, Motif and FootPrint will work to drive the next wave of innovation in plant-based foods, including looking beyond mimicking animal-based items to create new product categories that will provide consumers with healthier, better tasting plant-based options.

“Whether on the store shelf or a menu, we’re focused on making our customer’s plant-based foods so desirable that people actually crave them,” said Jonathan McIntyre, CEO, Motif FoodWorks. “We couldn’t be more excited to have Robert and FootPrint Coalition on board as an investor and a partner in our work to grow the category.”

Hitting the Market

Separately, Motif also announced an expansion to its product portfolio. In addition to its food technologies, the company is launching a line of new products including finished alternative beef, pork, and chicken items featuring its breakthrough food technologies  HEMAMI™ and APPETEX™, – that provide meaty flavor and texture – for foodservice buyers, food distributors, and retailers with private labels. 

Motif originally leveraged its holistic food design expertise to create burgers and sausage to showcase the performance of its food technologies. But, after experiencing overwhelming positive response from both consumers and restaurant customers, Motif decided to offer its finished formats to the foodservice, distribution, and private label retailers.

Motif MoBeef™ Plant-Based Burger Patties are currently available, while Motif MoBeef™ Plant-Based Ground and Motif MoPork™ will be launched later this year, and Motif MoChicken™ will be available in 2023. 

McIntyre noted, “With our Motif MoBeef™, Motif MoPork™ and Motif MoChicken™ options, chefs, retailers and distributors can offer the absolute best plant-based experience, with umami, mouthwatering flavor and a meaty bite that consumers have been asking for from products in the category.”

~ Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Unconventional Ag. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.

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