How would you describe your solution in a few words?
Microorganisms are the next frontier of alternative protein and Alver is leading the way with their Golden, Diamond and Ruby Chlorella micro-algae which is neutral in taste and colour.
Alver has developed a range of High Protein Vegan Superfoods including pasta, granola, bars, soups and protein powders which are sold throughout Europe. Sales have doubled each year confirming a need in the market.
Golden Chlorella Algae powder © Alver World SA
With a variety of partners Alver also offers their unique Chlorella as a functional ingredient, perfect for dairy and meat applications, due its excellent binding and emulsifying properties, at the same time enriching food with proteins, micro and macro nutrients.
Who are your customers?
Individuals who want to eat healthily and sustainably. We offer a solution with respect to the environment for the vegetarians, vegans or flexitarians. We have targeted the millennials but recently seen a surge in baby-boomers buying more vegan products and taking an interest in cleaners labels.
What are the environmental benefits of your solution?
We currently have the most sustainable protein available, this is due to our continuous-heterotrophic fermentation requiring low resources and being 100% natural with NO transformation NOR extraction required to reach 50% protein. Our Alver Chlorella microalgae requires 369x less arable land, 7x less water and 39x less CO₂ than for the production of beef protein.
Importantly this process requires light capex which allows us to scale quickly to keep up with demand.
Impact at its best – we just won the European Impact Competition 2021 out of 7500 other impact companies.
How do you manage to exist on the market?
Alver Chlorella is naturally rich in zinc, magnesium, vitamin B, omegas, carotenoids and high in protein with a full amino acid profile. Alver has developed a range of High Protein Vegan Superfoods including pasta, granola, bars, soups and protein powders which are sold throughout Europe. Sales have more than doubled each year.
Nominated Solution: Protein-rich Foods from Chlorella Algae
Company: Alver World SA
Further Information: www.alver.ch
“At Alver we want to supply healthy nutrition for the ever-growing world population.” Mine Uran (Co-Founder, CEO; left) and Majbrit Byskov-Bridges (Co-Founder, COO). © Diana M Photography
