Food Ingredients

A new Chapter in Plant-Based Beverage Innovation

How the collaboration of KWS & vly transforms seed expertise into a tasty and organic high-protein drink.

The story began in 2023, when KWS & vly teamed up to explore how better seeds could unlock better pea protein milk.

What followed was a co-development journey that shows what’s possible when we start at the source. Berlin-based foodtech startup vly, known for its pea-based milk and yogurt alternatives, has launched a new plant-based, organic range of two products – of which “vly Bio High Protein” contains the pea protein developed together with the experts of KWS.

From Seed to Sip: Where Protein Begins

Every plant-based product starts with a seed, the source of its essential ingredients. Choosing the right seed with the optimal characteristics lays the groundwork for quality and functional performance in food applications.

KWS brings decades of experience with plants and leverages its expertise in plant breeding to naturally breed yellow peas for food applications. This approach isn’t just about growing peas, it’s about selecting the ‘right pea’ and producing improved pea protein that delivers on taste & quality.

This dedication to seed expertise ensures that the pea protein in vly’s “Bio High Protein” milk alternative is optimized from the ground up, setting a new standard for plant-based nutrition.

Collaboration in Action: Co-Creating with Purpose

The partnership between vly and KWS goes far beyond ingredient supply. By focusing on the very origins of plant-based nutrition –the seed itself – this collaboration truly brings the “plant” back to the heart of the plant-based drink. KWS and vly have been working together on every aspect from selecting the ‘matching pea’ to co-developing a high protein drink with the suitable flavor profile and quality for end consumers. This hands-on, collaborative process from the seed level to the shelf is what truly sets the product apart.

Regionality at the Source

By growing peas regionally, KWS and vly have shortened the supply chain, thus reducing emissions and supporting local agriculture. This approach aligns with the values and expectations of today’s eco-conscious consumers. The result is a product that’s as good for the planet as it is for your taste buds.

Looking back on the journey, it’s clear that the success of vly’s “Bio High Protein” milk alternative is rooted in more than technical expertise: It’s the result of a shared vision, innovation, and responsibility for nature and nutrition. And it is starting at the seed - where protein begins.