Speciality oils and fats company AAK has announced a new partnership with Vista Processed Foods, part of the global OSI Group, to create plant-based meat alternatives for the Indian market.

The two companies will work together to develop products from a variety of plant proteins, designed to meet the taste and texture needs of Indian consumers.

In a co-development partnership, Vista will manufacture plant-based products with AAK providing expertise on areas such as new product development.

“This is a timely partnership for a number of reasons,” said Bhupinder Singh, CEO at Vista Processed Foods. “The Covid-19 crisis has increased consumers’ focus on health and made them more cautious in their approach to food, with millennials in particular focusing on better, more sustainable food choices.

“Meanwhile, protein deficiency is a serious problem in India and there is a need to provide consumers with additional, guilt-free sources of protein. India’s plant-based food market is growing and we’re confident that this unique collaboration with AAK will help accelerate it.”