Thai Union Corporate Venture Fund has made an investment in pet treats derived from insects.

Thai Union Group PCL, a global leader in the seafood industry, has recently expanded its pet food division by investing in Orgafeed, a pioneering Thai start-up specializing in insect-based pet treats. This investment, announced on November 1, 2021, marks a significant step for Thai Union's Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Fund in diversifying its pet care offerings. Orgafeed is at the forefront of producing eco-friendly pet food and treats through its brand "Laika," utilizing black soldier fly larvae. These larvae are fed pre-consumed food waste, promoting the principles of a circular economy. Orgafeed's innovative approach has earned it a spot in the inaugural cohort of SPACE-F, Thailand's premier food-tech startup incubator and accelerator, which Thai Union co-established in 2019. This strategic investment by Thai Union into Orgafeed is poised to bolster the growth of Thai Union PetCare, now known as "i-Tail," aligning with i-Tail's innovative roadmap to improve the nutritional quality of its products. Thai Union's pet care portfolio already boasts well-established brands such as Marvo, Bellota, Paramount, and Calico Bay, alongside numerous private-label products. The company has also recently broadened its pet food operations in Japan, enhancing its distribution, sales, and importation of pet food and related items. Roy Chan, CEO of i-Tail, Thai Union, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. He highlighted the growing trend of humanization and premiumization in the pet industry, which has led to an increased demand for healthier and more sustainable products. Chan expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Orgafeed, noting its potential to advance the sustainable pet food segment. Orgafeed's co-founder and Circular Economy Officer, Ittikorn Thepmani, shared his optimism about the partnership's ability to elevate the pet food industry's standards in nutrition and sustainability. He looks forward to leveraging Thai Union Group's investment to scale Orgafeed's business and its positive environmental impacts. Thai Union's CVC fund continues to focus on alternative proteins, functional nutrition, biotechnology, and new food value chain technologies as key investment areas. The fund aims to support and expedite the growth of early-stage companies in these sectors, in line with Thai Union's dedication to Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans. About Thai Union Group: For over four decades, Thai Union Group PCL has been a leading global seafood provider, committed to delivering high-quality, innovative seafood products. With a global workforce exceeding 44,000 and annual sales surpassing THB 132.4 billion (US$ 4.2 billion), Thai Union's brand portfolio includes international and Thai-leading brands, as well as ingredient and supplement brands. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation is evident through its SeaChange® strategy and its recognition in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the FTSE4Good Emerging Index. About Orgafeed: Founded in 2018 and based in Bangkok, Orgafeed specializes in sustainable insect protein for pet food. Through its circular economy model, the company converts food surpluses into high-quality insect protein. Orgafeed's "Laika" brand is dedicated to providing healthy, tasty, and eco-friendly pet products, reflecting the company's commitment to sustainability and the well-being of pets and the planet.