Alver World SA

Alver World SA is a Swiss food-tech company operating in the alternative protein market, specializing in the production and application of microalgae. The company was founded in 2017 by Mine Uran and Majbritt Byskov-Bridges. Mine Uran, the CEO, is a food engineer with over two decades of experience searching for ideal animal protein alternatives, including roles as Head of Protein at Nestlé and positions at Unilever and DuPont. COO Majbritt Byskov-Bridges began her career in finance at Morgan Stanley and has a background as an economist with an MBA.

Alver produces a proprietary strain of Chlorella vulgaris through a fermentation process, resulting in ingredients that are uniquely neutral in taste and color. This overcomes a significant barrier to the widespread use of algae in mainstream food products. The company's flagship products are Golden Chlorella® (yellow) and Diamond Chlorella® (white), which are available as powders rich in protein, vitamins (like B vitamins), minerals (such as zinc and magnesium), and amino acids. These ingredients are designed for business-to-business clients in the food industry for two primary purposes: nutritional fortification and as a clean-label functional ingredient. Functionally, Alver's chlorella can act as a natural binder and emulsifier, capable of replacing additives like methylcellulose and as a whitening agent to substitute for titanium dioxide.

The business model serves both B2B partners and a direct-to-consumer (B2C) market. For its B2B clients, Alver offers its algae powders as a versatile ingredient for plant-based foods, bakery items, beverages, and meat and dairy analogues. On the B2C side, the company has developed its own line of retail superfoods, including pastas, granolas, soups, and protein powders, which are sold across Europe. The company states its B2C sales have doubled annually, indicating market traction.

Keywords: microalgae ingredient, chlorella vulgaris, alternative protein, food technology, clean label, plant-based, sustainable protein, food fortification, natural binder, methylcellulose replacement, functional food, vegan ingredients, B2B food ingredients, superfoods, food engineering, nutrient-dense, nutritional supplement