Adapted from a press release.
On April 1, Green Boy, which supplies plant-based non-GMO and organic food ingredients, opened a new plant-based pet food division, expanding its international footprint to supply premium plant-based pet food ingredients to pet food producers globally. The focus will be on supplying starches, sweeteners, proteins and fibers.
"Green Boy has always operated with the goal of accelerating the plant-based food reformation, to help with the transition from animal-based food products to plant-based food products," said Peter van Dijken, Green Boy cofounder and owner. "We want to lower the dependence on meat, fish and dairy. It is a logical next step for Green Boy to apply the same modus operandi to the pet food market as we service similar ingredients to our food customers worldwide for eight years already."
Frederik Otten, Green Boy cofounder and owner, said the pet food market is an interesting step for the company. "It is an ever-expanding playfield from a consumer perspective," Otten said. "In 2024 its expected sales will be around US$60 billion with an anticipated growth rate of about 6% per year. We know we can add value to our existing customer network because many of the large brands we supply also have a very strong presence in the pet food market."
Green Boy's pet food division will be focused on the premium markets in North America, Europe and Oceania, said Jeroen van den Heuvel, managing director.
"This expansion into the pet food market fits into Green Boy's growth and sustainability strategy," said van den Heuvel. "Pet food producers are still using large amounts of animal proteins. We want to offer a plant-based alternative for them, our aim is to make functional high-quality plant-based pet food ingredients more accessible to this exciting market. Our new pet food division will encompass ingredients for dry and wet pet food and for the utilization of all kinds of pet food products."
Founded in 2016, Green Boy has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Sydney.