Essentia showcases sustainable meat innovation at IFFA 2025 with 'Bring Back the Joy of Meat'

At this year’s IFFA, Essentia Protein Solutions made a powerful statement, both in terms of innovation and industry leadership, by introducing its campaign: “Bring Back the Joy of Meat.” The company, a global leader in protein-based food ingredients, presented a comprehensive portfolio of solutions designed to elevate the meat experience while addressing modern consumer expectations around health, taste, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.

A legacy of protein innovation

With over 40 years of industry experience and a strong presence across global markets, Essentia has become synonymous with premium functional proteins derived from a variety of animal sources including beef, pork, poultry, lamb, fish, and even crickets.

“As the name suggests, we offer protein-based solutions, all derived from various species of farm animals — cows, pigs, lamb, chicken — and we also have ingredients derived from fish and even crickets. But essentially, it’s all about proteins,” said Irene Plats, Global Marketing & Sustainability Director at Essentia Protein Solutions, in an exclusive conversation with FoodTechBiz at IFFA.

Essentia operates across four main market segments:

• Meat: Their largest and most developed segment, focusing on functional protein solutions that improve texture, juiciness, and overall quality of processed meats.

• Savory: Stocks and broths cooked the traditional way — by simmering bones for rich, natural flavor — used in soups, sauces, and ready meals.

• Nutrition: Protein and collagen solutions for sports, active, and general wellness nutrition.

• Pet Food: Adapted versions of their food-grade ingredients help enhance protein intake and palatability in pet diets.

“Bring Back the Joy of Meat” - Reclaiming meat’s reputation

At IFFA 2025, Essentia’s campaign “Bring Back the Joy of Meat” took center stage, with a strong emotional and functional appeal. “Over the past 10 years, meat has received a lot of criticism,” Irene Plats noted. The initiative aims to remind consumers and processors alike that meat can still be a joyful, nutritious, and sustainable part of everyday diets and celebrations.

“We believe meat still has a strong place, especially in family meals and celebrations. We want to inject more optimism and joy back into the meat sector,” said Irene Plats.

The campaign focuses on four pillars:

• Taste: Delivering superior flavor and texture through natural proteins.

• Affordability: Reducing meat content by partially replacing it with Essentia ingredients and water, helping manage costs.

• Health: Lean, high-protein, clean-label ingredients for modern dietary needs.

• Sustainability: Lowering Scope 3 emissions and making meat products more environmentally responsible.

Game-changing innovation: ExcelPro™ Plus Fat Marbling

Among the highlights at Essentia’s IFFA showcase was ExcelPro™ Plus Fat Marbling — a cutting-edge solution that allows processors to inject natural beef fat into meat cuts, simulating the appearance and mouthfeel of marbled meat.

“It’s actually made artificially, but with natural ingredients. We use a binding system — including hydrocolloids — to help the fat stay in place. It mimics natural marbling and improves both flavor and tenderness,” explained Irene Plats.

This technology not only enhances the eating experience but also offers tangible benefits for manufacturers in terms of yield and product transformation, enabling them to upgrade lower-grade cuts into premium offerings.

A sustainable vision for the future

Sustainability is a key theme for Essentia, not only in terms of product innovation but also in their operations and certifications. All manufacturing sites are FSSC 22000 certified, and the company is currently working toward SMETA certification to support ethical sourcing, fair labor practices, and transparent supply chains.

“It’s not just about ingredients — it’s also about how we work, our working conditions, and the ethics across our supply chain,” Irene Plats said.

In line with this, the company is launching internal training to empower its global sales teams to engage in meaningful conversations around sustainability with customers.

“Some of our customers are far along in their sustainability journey; others are just beginning. We want to be there to support them at every stage,” she added.

Global presence with room to grow

Though Essentia is already well established in key markets around the world, including Europe and North America, the company sees expansion opportunities in underpenetrated regions such as Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.

“We’re quite well covered globally, but we’re always open to collaborating with exciting new companies — particularly those with networks or perspectives we don’t currently have,” Irene Plats said.

While cultural and regulatory differences can pose challenges in certain regions, Essentia’s local teams and compliance systems help ensure smooth market entry and integration.

IFFA as a platform for connection

While IFFA serves as a platform to showcase innovation, Irene Plats emphasized that for Essentia, the event is more about deepening existing partnerships than generating new leads. “It’s about loyalty and long-term collaboration. We’re not necessarily here to collect new leads — though we welcome them,” she noted.

Reflecting on the show’s atmosphere, she appreciated the continued engagement from both German SMEs and international visitors.

“I’m especially curious to see how others are tackling sustainability — it’s something I plan to explore across the show floor,” she shared.

Essentia's post-IFFA priorities will center on rolling out their sustainability roadmap and continuing to support their customers' evolving needs with innovative, clean-label protein solutions. “There’s constantly enough work to do,” Irene Plats concluded with a smile.

With a clear commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality, Essentia Protein Solutions is not just preserving the place of meat in our diets — they’re reimagining it for a better future!