CJ Next-Generation Seasoning Material 'TasteEnrich' Establishes in Global Market... Surpasses 5 Billion Won

Secured Supply Contracts with the World's Largest Alternative Meat Company and Top Global Food Corporations... Major Clients Acquired

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] CJ CheilJedang's next-generation seasoning ingredient TasteNrich® is rapidly growing by leading changes in the global seasoning ingredient market trends.

CJ CheilJedang announced on the 15th that its clean label plant-based fermented seasoning ingredient TasteNrich surpassed 5 billion KRW in sales as of the end of November. This achievement was reached in about half a year since its official launch in May. Despite being a new ingredient that did not previously exist, it quickly established itself in the market by securing large clients one after another.

TasteNrich is a next-generation seasoning ingredient that concentrates CJ CheilJedang's R&D capabilities, including fermentation technology accumulated over more than 60 years. It is made solely from umami fermentation components generated during the fermentation process of plant-based raw materials such as sugarcane, without any additives or artificial processes like chemical treatment. After 10 years of research and development, CJ CheilJedang succeeded in mass production using a differentiated natural fermentation method and launched it in May, challenging the seasoning ingredient market dominated by MSG and nucleotides.

In particular, looking at the major global companies that have signed supply contracts, it is clear that TasteNrich is recognized as a future seasoning ingredient. The world's largest alternative meat company is a representative example, having focused on the characteristics of TasteNrich. Like alternative meat, the seasoning ingredient was chosen as a 'future product' considering health. Given the rapid growth of the global alternative meat market, with major fast-food companies such as McDonald's and Burger King adopting alternative meat, this supply contract is expected to be a catalyst for expanding demand for TasteNrich. According to the US market research firm CFRA, the global alternative meat market, which was about 22 trillion KRW in 2018, is estimated to grow to 116 trillion KRW by 2030.

In addition, TasteNrich has successfully signed contracts with major North American spice and sauce companies as well as food companies, supplying products to over 100 companies in 31 countries. Domestically, it is used in ‘Spam Mild,’ which reduces sodium by 25% compared to the existing product, and some products of ‘The Bibigo,’ which promotes healthy convenience foods.

The reason why TasteNrich has rapidly expanded its market influence since its launch is that it succeeded in differentiation as a ‘fermented raw material’ rather than an additive. Existing seasoning ingredients such as MSG are classified as ‘additives’ and do not meet the ‘clean label’ criteria. Processed foods that use only raw materials and TasteNrich without other additives are recognized as ‘additive-free foods’ and ‘clean label foods.’ TasteNrich produces umami on its own, maximizing the natural taste of the raw materials while enhancing salty taste with almost no sodium content.

CJ CheilJedang plans to accelerate the growth of TasteNrich. While establishing a dedicated production line at the Jombang plant in Indonesia, it will also focus on ‘technology marketing’ based on the global supply chain secured during the growth of its green bio business. ‘Technology marketing’ is a future-oriented sales and marketing approach that not only explains the product but also provides ‘customized solutions’ to customers’ specific needs and problems. Through this, CJ CheilJedang plans to nurture TasteNrich as a core product following the currently overwhelmingly dominant global number one product, ‘nucleotides.’

A CJ CheilJedang official said, “We have confirmed that TasteNrich can be a competitive alternative for global companies aiming to make healthier products,” adding, “It will lead the growth and evolution of the seasoning ingredient market, which is worth about 7 trillion KRW.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.