Ohly is a world-leading provider of specialty yeast products and extracts. These vegan-friendly ingredients can be used to enhance flavor, reduce salt content, mask off-notes, and more.
Last year, Ohli concentrated a native yeast protein with a gelling function that could replace eggs in many applications such as desserts, bakery products and sauces. The ingredient can act as an emulsifier, foaming agent and more.
Ohly recently added to its extensive range by developing its first carbon-neutral yeast extract. We spoke to Nancy Zacca, Global Sales Director, and Christina Vervorst, Product and Marketing Manager, to learn more about the company and its products.
Ohly offers a range of plant protein ingredients. What solutions can you bring to food producers? How do you provide assistance in product development?
Christina: We offer a variety of yeast-based, natural and vegan ingredients that provide key flavor functionality for a wide range of plant-based alternative products. For example, our ingredients for meat alternatives offer distinct meaty and fried notes. They can also highlight meaty and savory notes or create a perception of juiciness.
Alternative proteins often create bitter, nutty or astringent off-notes in finished products. Our natural yeast extracts, such as OHLY® FLAV-R-MAX, can be used to mask those off-notes.
Last year we introduced the vegan, yeast-based chicken flavor OHLY® SAV-R-MEAT PBD. Inspired by traditional cooking methods, our scientists created a signature braised chicken flavor profile with truly juicy, dark-meat notes. We also offer nutritional yeast powder for those looking for a vegan protein source.
Our application experts are happy to work closely with customers and help them develop optimal solutions for their next plant-based innovation.
Can you give us some background on your so-called Planet – People – Customer strategy?
Christina: Since our company was founded in Hamburg (Germany) in 1836, sustainability has been an essential part of our business. This principle of “doing the right thing” is at the core of our Planet – People – Customer strategy
This includes respecting the planet and embedding environmentally friendly thinking into everything we do. Our employees’ planet-first ideas have already improved operational efficiency, material sourcing, and logistics. Our engineering experts are constantly working on process optimization to produce more from fewer resources and lower our carbon footprint.
Our ambitious goal is to operate a 100% net-zero production site in Hamburg by 2030 and thereby offer a portfolio of carbon-neutral products. Additionally, we care about our people, meaning employees, partners, customers, suppliers and neighbors in the communities where we operate.
At Ohly, everyone is responsible for a safe and healthy workplace. Our program SAFE is built on listening to our people. The program aims to prevent accidents and eliminate unsafe conditions in the workplace through continuous health and safety assessments.
The work environment at Ohly allows everyone to learn and develop by working in diverse international teams with the autonomy to impact our business. Each employee is encouraged to take ownership for decisions and to receive and provide frequent feedback.
To delight our customers, Ohly focuses on creating cutting-edge materials that help contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. To us, our claim “Enhancing the Taste of Life” means helping our customers sustainably feed the world, naturally boost human and animal immunity, and promote healthy ways of living.
We are proud to support our customers in reducing emissions in their value chain by providing our first carbon-neutral products. Ohly works with external carbon experts from Climate Partners to calculate the carbon emissions of our products. We achieve carbon neutrality by reducing emissions where possible and compensate for remaining carbon emissions by investing in verified carbon offset projects.
In last year’s interview, you reported that the company is continuously reducing its environmental impact and accelerating its decarbonization journey. Any news on this?
Christina: In 2022, we reduced our emissions by 15% vs. 2018 and introduced the first carbon-neutral yeast extract. Our decarbonization roadmap includes investments in projects to implement new and improved production processes at our Hamburg site. Many carbon-saving initiatives are already underway, such as switching to renewable electricity in 2022, continuing to modernize our manufacturing facilities and building car e-charging stations in 2023. Other measures will be phased in until 2030.
What drives you personally? What values are particularly important to you?
Nancy: I am inspired by the people I work with in the organization and their ability to collaborate. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many smart people and their diversity of experiences, backgrounds and functions brings energy to projects and allows for truly creative solutions.
Personally, I am a very straightforward and very loyal person, and so I value those traits in others. I am on a constant path of continuous improvement. I have a passion for learning new things and I’m very introverted in that I always ask myself, “How could I have done it differently?” I love being challenged to change my perspective, to see the world differently. I think organizations that are able to develop a culture that encourages people to take risks and try to do things differently are ultimately the most successful. Ahli is on that journey and I’m excited to be a part of it!
Is female leadership part of Ahli’s corporate strategy? Are there any measures to increase diversity among managers?
Nancy: Of course. Ohly has a DEI program aimed at fostering a workplace that offers opportunities to increase the representation of women and minorities in leadership roles. Ohly is also part of the larger AB Foods conglomerate. AB Foods has a Women’s Network Group, of which I am part of the organizing committee, which provides training, support and networking programs across the entire family of companies.
Where can interested people meet Ahli?
Nancy: We attend several major trade shows worldwide throughout the year. Historically, we have been present at IFT, FI Europe and FI Asia, but we are also active at other, smaller shows throughout the year. Up-to-date information about trade shows can be found on our website. Ahli prides itself on being accessible to our customers and to the market with the goal that every interaction is for a happy customer. We can always be reached via the Contact Us link on our website or through LinkedIn.