koalimo is the latest energy drink innovation, combining the naturally energising qualities of guarana and the sustainable sweetness of cocoa fruit juice.

koawach, specialists in organic, fair trade, and climate-neutral cocoa and guarana products, have created a one-of-a-kind beverage. The result is koalimo – the first caffeinated soft drink made with cocoa fruit juice, available in three refreshing flavours that redefine the energy drink experience:

• Sun Burst – a tangy and refreshing taste of grapefruit
• Citrus Wave – a zestful lime infusion for a rejuvenating kick
• Tropic Ocean – exotic passionfruit notes offering a perfect tropical escape

‘At koawach, we’re thrilled to launch koalimo as a sustainable and refreshing alternative to traditional energy drinks, harnessing the unique potential of the cocoa fruit,’ says Daniel Duarte, Founder of koawach. ‘This is a drink that brings together bold flavor, natural energy, and real impact for both people and the planet.’

Each flavour is lightly sweetened with cocoa fruit juice, an upcycled product that benefits both people and the planet. By using the often-overlooked cocoa fruit pulp, koalimo helps provide an extra income stream for small-scale farmers in Ghana and promotes upcycling – making a sustainable impact in the cocoa industry.

The refreshing essence of cocoa fruit is complemented by the energising kick of guarana, delivering 75 mg of natural caffeine per can – comparable to leading energy drinks but with a much simpler, cleaner ingredient list. Moreover, koalimo contains significantly less sugar than typical energy drinks (up to 3g per 100ml), making it a more natural and healthier choice.
koawach has teamed up with Koa, a Swiss-Ghanaian startup that upcycles cocoa fruit pulp, to create the innovative beverage—an effort born from two distinct but aligned brands.

‘We’re incredibly excited for this new koa-llaboration between koawach and Koa—a true match made in heaven!’ says Anian Schreiber, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Koa. ‘With koalimo, koawach has created a drink that brings together exquisite flavour, energising functionality, and a positive, sustainable impact on people and the planet.’

Koalimo will be available in over 1,100 dm stores across Germany and online at koawach.de starting in late November 2024.

Döhler, a global producer, marketer and provider of technology-driven natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Nukoko, the innovative company behind the world’s first cocoa-free ‘bean-to-bar’ chocolate. Together, Döhler and Nukoko will scale up the production of Nukoko’s patent-pending chocolate alternative, made from fava beans, in response to the growing challenges facing the global cocoa supply chain. With this partnership, Nukoko aims to revolutionise the chocolate industry with a sustainable, low-emission alternative.

This partnership will enable both companies to scale Nukoko’s innovative fermentation process to an industrial level by 2025. Nukoko’s unique process transforms fava beans into a sustainable chocolate alternative, addressing critical issues in the chocolate industry, including rising cocoa prices, environmental impact and socio-economic concerns surrounding cocoa production.

The collaboration between Döhler and Nukoko marks a major milestone in the evolution of chocolate manufacturing. Nukoko’s cocoa-free chocolate is made possible through its patent-pending fermentation technology, which mimics traditional cocoa fermentation to create chocolate’s characteristic flavours from fava beans. This breakthrough offers a sustainable alternative to conventional chocolate, reducing carbon emissions by up to 90 % compared to traditional cocoa-based products.

As the global cocoa industry faces unprecedented challenges—cocoa prices surged by 89 % in 2023 alone, driven by climate change and declining yields—Nukoko’s cocoa-free solution offers a viable and eco-friendly alternative. Cocoa production has long been associated with deforestation, child labour and high carbon emissions, ranking among the top five food sources contributing to CO2 emissions. Nukoko’s fava bean-based chocolate eliminates these issues by using a domestically grown, nitrogen-fixing crop that promotes soil health and reduces the need for fertilisers.

In addition to its environmental benefits, Nukoko’s chocolate alternative boasts 40 % less sugar and higher levels of protein, fiber, and antioxidants, offering a healthier choice for consumers without compromising on taste.

With the support of Döhler’s expertise in fermentation scale-up and ingredient systems, Nukoko will transition from pilot-scale production to full industrial-scale batches by 2025. This process will involve producing in 10,000-litre fermentation batches, significantly increasing output while maintaining high efficiency.

Döhler’s deep knowledge in regulatory processes and food safety will also be instrumental as Nukoko approaches its market launch.

Biosyntia has secured a Series B funding round of 11.5 million euros from a strong syndicate of experienced venture capital investors. The round was closed with an investment from the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) and the two existing investors, Sofinnova Partners and Novo Seeds, the early-stage investment and company creation team of Novo Holdings A/S. The investment will allow the company to enter the production phase of its first-of-its-kind, natural and sustainable active ingredients as well as expand the pipeline of products. The first product to be commercialized is a bio-based biotin (vitaminB7), for use in dietary supplements, food, and beauty products.

Biosyntia is an industrial biotech company delivering nature’singredients at scale both affordably and sustainably. Using cutting-edge biotechnology and proprietary R&D tools and insights, the company is developing first-of-its-kind precision fermentation processes to replace fossil-based alternatives. Its vision is to develop a natural and environmentally-friendly production process of essential nutritional active ingredients, reducing the use of petrochemically-based processes and driving a positive environmental impact. The company today has several commercial partnerships, including collaborations with large market players such as Givaudan and WACKER.