Global natural ingredients manufacturer Döhler has acquired Nukoko, a UK-based technology enterprise specialising in cocoa-free chocolate alternatives.
The acquisition incorporates Nukoko's fava bean fermentation and biotechnology platform into Döhler’s global research and manufacturing ecosystem. The transaction addresses mounting raw material cost pressures, supply chain volatility, and environmental concerns across the global cocoa sector.
Fava Bean Biotechnology Platform
Nukoko’s technology platform combines advanced biotechnology with traditional cocoa processing and craft chocolate techniques. Rather than relying on cocoa beans, the company utilises fava beans as its primary raw material base.
Fava beans represent a resilient, high-yield crop that can be cultivated regionally across Europe and international agricultural hubs. By processing fava beans through controlled fermentation and proprietary enzymatic treatments, the platform delivers sensory characteristics, melt profiles, and flavour profiles that mirror conventional chocolate.
Commercial Applications and Sampling
Döhler plans to make application samples of the cocoa-free chocolate alternative available to food and beverage manufacturers starting in August 2026.
The ingredient platform is engineered for seamless integration across multiple finished product categories:
🍫 Chocolate Alternatives and Confectionery: Supporting cocoa-free confectionery concepts with traditional sensory and melt profiles.
🍞 Bakery and Cereals: Enabling chocolate-style flavour profiles and inclusions across baked goods, breakfast items, and cereal snacks.
🍦 Ice Cream, Coatings, and Fillings: Providing cocoa-free formulations for frozen novelties, confectionery coatings, and bakery fillings.
Mitigating Cocoa Supply Volatility
The integration of Nukoko comes as cocoa price fluctuations and adverse weather events in major West African growing regions continue to disrupt global confectionery manufacturing. By scaling plant-based alternatives derived from regionally sourced legumes, ingredients suppliers aim to provide brand owners with supply chain stability and predictable cost structures.
Kerstin Bergander-Kleinert, Head of BU CNP at Döhler, stated that incorporating Nukoko’s technology into Döhler’s portfolio directly addresses supply chain friction by providing scalable, cocoa-free alternatives without compromising sensory performance.
Kit Tomlinson and Ross Newton, Co-Founders of Nukoko, added that joining Döhler provides the infrastructure and international reach required to scale the fava bean platform globally across industrial food channels.
The commercial co-creation phase between Döhler, Nukoko, and food manufacturers is set to begin in August 2026 to support upcoming product formulation pipelines.
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