Planet A Foods, the Munich startup behind the chocolate alternative Choviva, has entered into a strategic partnership with Swiss chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut. Together, both companies aim to set new standards for sustainable chocolate solutions – completely without cocoa.
Barry Callebaut is regarded as one of the world’s leading suppliers of chocolate and cocoa solutions. The company is addressing the volatility of the cocoa market with an innovation strategy based on research and development. Through its partnership with the startup, Barry Callebaut is strengthening this approach and expanding its portfolio to include sustainable alternatives.
“Through our partnership with Planet A Foods, we are leveraging innovative technology that allows us to unlock new growth opportunities while simultaneously strengthening our resilience against the current volatility in the cocoa market. We are excited to work with Planet A Foods to shape the chocolate solutions of the future together with our customers”,
says Christian Hansen, Head of Global Strategy at Barry Callebaut.
Expanding Planet A Foods’ global presence
Choviva is based on sunflower seeds and offers, according to Planet A Foods, a complete chocolate-like taste experience without compromising on quality or enjoyment. By using regionally sourced raw materials, the product shortens supply chains and reduces the ecological footprint along the value chain.
For Planet A Foods, the cooperation represents an important step toward international expansion. Maximilian Marquart, CEO and co-founder of Planet A Foods, says:
“It has always been our goal to develop Choviva into a global food ingredients platform. This partnership on equal footing helps us do exactly that. By combining Barry Callebaut’s global reach and expertise with our innovative strength, we can scale responsibly and bring new products to market faster than ever before.”
Co-founder and CTO Sara Marquart also emphasizes the importance of sustainable indulgence alternatives:
“Choviva delivers a genuine chocolate taste experience, made from 100 percent natural ingredients and completely without cocoa. With this innovative alternative, consumers can make more conscious and sustainable choices – without sacrificing enjoyment.”
