Dive Brief:
- Ingredients giant ADM is partnering with startup Every to scale the company's animal-free egg proteins using precision fermentation.
- ADM will begin commercial production of Every's bio-based protein ingredient OvoPro at its facility in Clinton, Iowa.
- The collaboration is meant to give food companies innovative new options as demand for high-quality proteins soars and creates supply challenges for animal-based ingredients.
Dive Insight:
After years of price volatility, many companies have looked to new alternatives to replace eggs in their formulations. But many have struggled to completely recreate the functionality and health benefits that come from eggs.
OvoPro's ingredients are meant to bridge that gap between formulation functionality and protein content. The ingredients provide critical binding, gelling, foaming and whipping functionality, while carrying a protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of 1.0 — the highest quality ranking.
Egg prices have seen marketed swings over the past few years as bird flu outbreaks continue to ebb and flow. While prices have declined significantly since their records in 2025, ingredient suppliers have moved to offer alternatives to allow companies to lock in stable supply at a lower cost.
"Traditional protein sources like eggs will always be a critically important part of diets around the world, but it's also clear that the only way to meet the growing global demand for protein is to add innovative new ingredient options that can expand the supply of high-quality protein," Kris Lutt, ADM's vice president for innovation and growth, said in a statement.
Other ingredient companies with egg alternatives include Ardent Mills, which offers an Egg Replace that can cut down on eggs required within the baked goods sector. OvoPro, however, claims to be the first egg alternative produced through precision fermentation.
In addition to being a substitute for traditional eggs, OvoPro could provide food companies with another alternative to whey, another high-quality protein has seen prices surge due to the overwhelming demand for protein fortification.
Every has expanded aggressively as it sees accelerating demand for OvoPro. Orders in the first four months of this year were 550% the total for all of 2025, the company previously said in a release. The company recently announced a significant manufacturing expansion with partner Huvepharma to quadruple production capabilities.
ADM will scale OvoPro through its precision fermentation capabilities. The ingredients are vegan and cholesterol-free, with applications spanning across frozen foods, sweet baked goods, pastas, beverages and more.
"Through this agreement with EVERY, we're strengthening the global protein supply chain while demonstrating how ADM's industry-leading precision fermentation capabilities can complement existing production, expand supply and help customers innovate," Lutt said.
