CHICAGO — ADM is partnering with New Culture, San Leandro, Calif., to advance the development and commercialization of animal-free dairy products.

Combining ADM’s manufacturing capabilities with New Culture’s innovations in animal-free casein and animal-free cheese, the partnership will focus on joint product development and expansion into the foodservice market.

“After tasting New Culture’s delicious animal-free mozzarella, we recognized that the company had the potential to play a central role in bringing great-tasting, breakthrough products to the dairy aisle,” said Ian Pinner, senior vice president of strategy and innovation for ADM.

Developed with precision fermentation techniques, New Culture creates its animal-free mozzarella using traditional methods of cheesemaking and food science instead of relying on ingredients like soy and nuts. The company’s cheeses are formulated with animal-free casein, water, plant-based fat, sugar, vitamins and minerals, according to the company.

As part of the collaboration, ADM is planning to bring New Culture’s mozzarella to pizzerias starting in 2023. ADM also will provide resources to help New Culture expand the use of its animal-free casein into a wider product array.

“This partnership between New Culture and ADM gives our team the chance to accelerate our path to commercialization and expand what’s possible for our product portfolio,” said Matt Gibson, president and chief executive officer for New Culture.

In late 2021, New Culture raised $25 million in Series A funding. The funding round was led by Ahren Innovation Capital and CPT Capital with participation from ADM Ventures and several other investors.