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Dutch company NoPalm Ingredients, which specialises in producing sustainable yeast-derived fats, has launched a new brand as part of its expansion, with its CEO stating that palm oil alternatives have become essential.
Lars Langhout, co-founder and CEO of NoPalm Ingredients, said:
"Fat is a core performance ingredient — whether it's texture, taste and nutrition in food, or skin feel and stability in cosmetics. But the way it's currently produced has a huge sustainability impact, particularly in terms of Scope 3 emissions."
He noted that global demand for vegetable oils continues to rise, while supply faces mounting challenges — such as the diversion of palm oil into biofuel production and geopolitical disruptions. Price volatility and environmental regulations, such as the EU's deforestation regulation, are also pushing the industry to act.
Although palm oil accounts for 40% of the world's vegetable oil production — and is found in half of all supermarket products — the industry contributes to deforestation in tropical regions and is directly linked to forest fires in Indonesia. It also poses a threat to wildlife and human rights, including the displacement of indigenous communities and labour exploitation.
Replacing palm oil with other vegetable oils is not necessarily a perfect solution either, as it can trigger unintended climate consequences. This is where startups such as NoPalm Ingredients come in, offering a yeast-derived, recycled alternative that generates 90% fewer emissions and requires 99% less land.
New Brand: Revóleo
Following the launch of its "Revóleo" brand, aimed at the food and cosmetics sectors, Langhout said the company is no longer just a startup but has now entered its scale-up phase:
"Over the past three years, NoPalm Ingredients has established itself as a bold brand challenging the status quo. But we realised the issue isn't just about what we're replacing — it's about what we're creating. Revóleo is our next step."
He explained that "Rev" stands for "revolution, resilience and repurposing," while "Óleo" means "oil," and "Leo" refers to "bold leadership."
"Revóleo redefines how oils and fats are produced — smarter, cleaner and more circular," he added.
The company relies on a proprietary fermentation process using non-GMO yeasts and low-cost technologies to convert food industry by-products — such as potato peels and whey — into sustainable fats that can replace palm oil without requiring reformulation.
"We rely entirely on food industry by-products, even at industrial scale," Langhout says.
"For example, we partnered with Lamb Weston EMEA to use its potato peel waste."
Two Flagship Products Under the Revóleo Brand
Langhout added:
"We're building a scalable portfolio — high-quality, circular and performance-ready. We're currently running a 400-litre pilot production line and working with external partners to produce industrial samples. By 2026, we'll launch our first demonstration plant capable of producing more than 1,000 tonnes a year."
He revealed that the company's yeast-based platform also offers nutrient-rich food ingredients (protein, fibre, fat) that can be used in human food, animal feed and dietary supplements.
Major Companies Seeking Palm Oil Alternatives
The company has raised $6.5 million in funding to date and has attracted interest from major global companies. It has already partnered with firms such as Unilever and Zeelandia, and recently signed an agreement with Colgate-Palmolive to produce a palm oil substitute for bar soap, building on a pilot project launched in 2023.
"We also collaborated with Those Vegan Cowboys, who used our microbial fat to create the world's first plant-based Camembert," Langhout said, adding that "more announcements are on the way."
He concluded:
"While 2024 wasn't a revenue year, it was commercially strong. 2025 is the year we're preparing for launch."
Other Competitors in the Palm Oil Alternatives Market
Alongside NoPalm Ingredients, several other companies are developing palm oil alternatives, including:
Source: Green Queen