Plant-Based & Vegan Active Updated Jul 23, 2026
Growing dairy proteins without the cow
Startups are using molecular farming and precision fermentation to produce real dairy proteins, casein and lactoferrin, without any animal involved, aiming to match the taste, function and price of conventional dairy. The arc will run as these products move from lab claims to commercial kitchens and store shelves at scale.
The story so far
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Jul 23, 2026 Latest
Israeli startup Plantopia raised $9 million, led by dairy giant Schreiber Foods, to grow casein inside sprouted oats on vertical farms. The company says it has matched all four forms of cow casein and their coagulation behavior at $15 to $20 per kilogram, on par with conventional dairy, with production starting this quarter at a facility in Kibbutz Sdot Yam.
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