KWS and vly jointly develop taste optimized organic pea for plant based milk alternative

Einbeck / Berlin, 10.02.2026

Plant breeding company KWS has developed a new organic pea in collaboration with Berlin based food tech company vly for use in plant based milk alternatives. The goal of the partnership is to significantly improve the sensory properties of pea protein—especially taste and texture—through targeted breeding. The resulting protein is now used in the new “vly Bio High Protein” drink. Together with the “vly Bio Barista,” vly is expanding its portfolio with two new products.

Breeding with a focus on taste

The collaboration, launched in 2023, aims to develop pea varieties with a neutral, mild flavor—one of the central challenges of plant‑based proteins. To achieve this, KWS uses advanced breeding methods and food analytics to identify and further refine variants that are optimally suited for processing into milk alternatives. vly contributes its expertise in food technology and product development to define consumer requirements for taste and texture.

“Good food starts with the right seed,” says Alexandra Molitor, Commercial Director Food Ingredients at KWS. “As a seed producer, we can lay the foundation for high‑performing crops

First application in the new vly organic milk alternative

The protein from the jointly selected pea is being used for the first time in the new “vly Bio High Protein.” The product contains 40 grams of protein per liter with zero grams of sugar and impresses with its mild flavor without unwanted bitter notes.

“I dare say this is the healthiest organic milk alternative in the world—at least in terms of protein and sugar content,” says vly founder Nicolas Hartmann. The milk alternative is aimed at health‑conscious consumers who value high protein content and organic quality.

The “vly Bio Barista” completes the new organic range. It is characterized by its performance in coffee and hot beverages: fine foam, no curdling, and 40 percent less sugar compared to other organic barista‑style milk alternatives.

“Our new organic products are the result of a successful partnership with KWS,” says Nicolas Hartmann. “This investment in organic seed allows us to continuously improve our products and offer milk alternatives that truly convince—through taste, nutrition, and performance.“

About KWS

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies. Around 5,000 employees* (excluding seasonal workers) in over 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.68 billion in fiscal 2024/2025. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflowers. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants’ resistance to diseases, pests, and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested approximately €350 million in fiscal year 2024/2025 in research and development.

* excluding seasonal workers.

About vly

vly is a Berlin-based food‑tech company founded in 2018 with the mission to rethink plant‑based nutrition. Driven by the belief that food should not only taste good but also deliver real nutritional value, the team around nutrition expert Nicolas Hartmann and food technologist Moritz Braunwarth develops plant‑based milk and yogurt alternatives made from pea and faba bean proteins – 100% plant‑based, high in protein, free from sugar, and made with a clean ingredient list. All vly products are produced in Germany. vly is available online at www.vlyfoods.com and in retail stores across Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, including Rewe, Edeka, Kaufland, dm, Rossmann, Müller, Budni, Globus, Bünting, Flink, Knuspr, PicNic, gurkerl, Billa, and Albert Heijn.

Further information: www.vlyfoods.com

Contact:

Andreas Wegeleben
Lead of External Communications
Mobil +49 (151) 64655138
andreas.wegeleben@kws.com

Alexandra Molitor
Commercial Director Food Ingredients
alexandra.molitor@kws.com