Microalgae Protein Partnership Targets Iberian Food Industry

Nutrition from Water and Prolacto have announced a collaboration to develop and commercialise microalgae‑derived protein and fibre blends for food manufacturers across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.

Portugal-headquartered microalgae ingredient company Nutrition from Water (NXW) has entered a partnership with Prolacto, an ingredient manufacturer based in Lagoa on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. The two companies will explore co-developing and commercialising functional blends for food and nutrition manufacturers in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as for international customers they serve jointly. The blends will pair NXW’s water-derived proteins and fibres with Prolacto’s existing ingredient range and blending capabilities for use across a range of food applications. Neither company has disclosed financial terms, product names or a timeline for the first commercial blends. The partners co-exhibited at SIAL Paris in October. Microalgae protein made through fermentation NXW was founded in New Zealand in 2020 as NewFish and has since moved its headquarters to Portugal. The company grows microalgae strains through fermentation and processes the biomass into protein and fibre ingredients for B2B customers, sold under its Marine Whey range. CEO Federico Duarte presented the Prolacto agreement as a commercial test of that model. “We have built our ingredient platform to complement dairy, not to compete with it. Working with PROLACTO is an opportunity to validate our thesis and bring to market solutions that combine the best of dairy, along with biomanufactured ingredients,” he stated. The deal adds to a series of partnerships for NXW. Earlier this year, the company signed Chinese fermentation group Jiangsu Jiangshan Pharmaceutical to manufacture Marine Whey at industrial scale, and at the end of June it agreed to take an equity stake in microalgae strain developer PhycoFerm. In October 2025, NXW also partnered with packaging group SIG to develop algae-based protein drinks in aseptic cartons and pouches. A 1968 ingredient plant in the mid-Atlantic Prolacto has produced ingredients on São Miguel since 1968. Its portfolio covers dairy and non-dairy ingredients for infant nutrition, chocolate, bakery, ice cream and beverage mixes, as well as tailored blends and functional pre-mixes supplied to industrial and private-label customers worldwide. Prolacto CEO Oscar Criado del Rey tied the partnership to the company’s plans for its ingredient offer. He explained, “Our strategy is to build a broader ingredient platform through partnerships that add capabilities around our core expertise. NXW Nutrition from Water’s water-derived proteins and fibres complement PROLACTO, creating an opportunity to develop differentiated solutions around customer needs. We look forward to exploring how we can bring that value to customers across Iberia and selected international markets.” Thank you! Please confirm your newsletter subscription in the email we just sent you.

Read source: Cultivated X