Kerry Group has purchased Dutch plant-based protein manufacturer Ojah BV for €20 million (US$24.6 million). The European Commission approved the acquisition earlier this week.

Ojah’s plant-based, vegan products are “textured meat alternatives” that are suitable for meat and fish substitution. Founded in 2009, the company manufactures around 1,600 tons of its Plenti brand meat substitute annually and the product is claimed to have a meat-like structure and can be processed similarly to pork, chicken, fish or beef. The company aims to commercialize the process of texturizing vegetable proteins by using a clean label High Moisture Extrusion (HME) technology.

Ojah makes a wide range of meat alternatives products under the Beeter and Plenti brands for own label, offering a fleshy texture, unique bite and tenderness. The range includes seasoned chunks and strips as well as vegan nuggets and are all made from soy and pea protein.

In 2012, Ojah won an innovation award for small to medium-sized companies in the Netherlands.

Ojah is controlled by the Belgian private equity firm Korys Fund Investments, the investment vehicle of the Colruyt Group, which is a retail chain with discount supermarkets in Belgium, Luxembourg and France.

Kerry has already launched its ProDiem plant-based protein solution onto the market.