ISRAEL | Spirulina innovators SimpliiGood by AlgaeCore Technologies, Ltd., is advancing to commercial production of its 100 percent plant-based smoked salmon analogue composed of highly nutritious spirulina microalgae.
Backed by USD four million in new funding, fresh EU regulatory clearance, and with pilots underway in Europe and Israel, the company will bring one of the most sustainable proteins to the mainstream market, reimagined as the world’s favourite fish.
From pilot to full production
With the launch of its full-scale industrial manufacturing line, the company has transitioned to commercial output of its texturised fresh spirulina branded Simplii Texture. This enables the company to ramp up production of its breakthrough ingredient to hundreds of tons per year, allowing it to meet an anticipated wave of demand for its novel, confidently smoked salmon analogue.
AlgaeCore began as a cultivator and enricher of fresh, high-value food- and supplement-grade spirulina for B2B and B2C product manufacturers, food service providers, and retailers.
The company expanded into the food-tech arena, giving its raw material an added role as a texturiser. Its proprietary platform can transform fresh spirulina into a range of fish alternatives that are naturally rich in protein, sustainable, and boast an excellent nutritional profile.
“No complex and expensive equipment, such as 3D printers or extrusion equipment, is required to craft our texturised protein,” said Baruch Dach, CTO and co-founder of AlgaeCore.
“Our fresh, undried spirulina and a few natural ingredients are combined and passed through a machine that resembles a pasta roller to produce our spirulina-based smoked salmon in a simple process.”
AlgaeCore’s state-of-the-art commercial facility is already primed to produce dozens of tons of texturised spirulina over the next few months. Each 1kg of Simplii Texture can be transformed into 3-4kg of its plant-based, clean-label smoked salmon delicacy.
2 techs in 1
At the heart of AlgaeCore’s innovation are dual IP-protected technologies that enable the creation of its salmon analogue. The first is a decolourisation tech that separates the green chlorophyll component from the spirulina.
Rich in antioxidants and micronutrients, this high-value sidestream is redirected into supplements or as a natural food colourant. The salmon replica’s pale pink hue is expressed through the remaining carotenoid pigment naturally present in spirulina.
SimpliiGood’s second texturising technology consolidates the remaining mass into a high-moisture texturised vegetable protein. The result is a silky, yet fibrous structure of the analogue presenting the same natural glossy finish as smoked salmon.
The finished product offers consumers the same sensory experience of biting into real smoked salmon, with full nutrition plus a welcome, spirulina boost.
The salmon-like creation provides a concentrated natural source of whole protein (up to 70 per cent) and essential nutrients, including iron and beta-carotene. The spirulina content can be tailored to meet the client’s preferences, comprising anywhere from 40 percent to 100 percent of the end product. Other ingredients include rice flour, tapioca, oil, and spices.
AlgaeCore’s solution can seamlessly plug into even the most traditional production lines. This makes it easy for food manufacturers to branch into alternative protein production or to reformulate existing product lines with a nutritious spirulina upgrade.
Simplii Texture is also appealing to fish product manufacturers seeking opportunities to diversify into plant-based alternatives. There is currently a global effort to alleviate the mounting strain on marine populations resulting from overfishing.
Regulatory green light for Simplii Texture
“With overfishing of salmon at a crisis point, our spirulina-based smoked salmon analogue is ready for commercial roll-out. Our creation embodies the same look, mouthfeel, and great flavour as real salmon. It is already receiving outstanding reviews and traction, demonstrating genuine market share potential,” said Lior Shalev, AlgaeCore CEO and co-founder.
“Simplii Texture has gained regulatory approval in Europe as a non-novel ingredient and completed the pilot phase. Production is up to scale; the ingredient is currently in the process of securing US-FDA approval.”
Simplii Texture is currently in pilot trials with several food manufacturers in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Israel. The company projects that the first spirulina-smoked salmon creations under private label brands will hit retail shelves within the next six months.
Sun-energised spirulina
Powered by natural sunlight, AlgaeCore cultivates its spirulina in ponds housed in greenhouses situated in the southern desert region of Israel. More than 98 percent of the water used in the process is recycled.
Spirulina also thrives on carbon, rendering it one of the most climate-friendly crops. It grows rapidly and in abundance, with a harvest every 24 hours.
In 2023, AlgaeCore partnered with the Haifa Group to optimise its ready-to-use nutrient mixtures for commercial spirulina cultivation. This collaboration is proving to be instrumental in reducing spirulina costs and fortifying AlgaeCore’s supply chain.
The start-up has raised more than USD 19 million in seed funding, with key investments coming from NFX, as well as a recent USD 4 million innovation grant from the Israel Innovation Authority.
