Döhler acquires Nukoko to scale cocoa-free chocolate alternatives amid supply challenges

Döhler has acquired UK food technology company Nukoko, bringing its fava bean-based cocoa-free chocolate alternative platform into the group as manufacturers increasingly seek solutions to cocoa supply volatility, rising raw material costs and sustainability concerns.

• Döhler acquired UK startup Nukoko, adding its cocoa-free chocolate alternative technology to the group's ingredients portfolio.
• Nukoko developed a fava bean-based platform that combined biotechnology with traditional cocoa processing techniques to create chocolate-style ingredients.
• Döhler planned to make samples available from August 2026 across confectionery, bakery, cereal, ice cream, coatings and filling applications.

The acquisition expanded Döhler's capabilities in cocoa-free chocolate alternatives and marked a significant step in the company's efforts to develop ingredient solutions for food manufacturers facing ongoing disruption in global cocoa markets.

Founded by Kit Tomlinson and Ross Newton, Nukoko developed a technology platform that used fava beans as the foundation for chocolate alternative ingredients. The approach combined biotechnology, cocoa expertise and process engineering with traditional cocoa processing and craft techniques to deliver products designed to replicate key sensory characteristics associated with chocolate while reducing reliance on cocoa as the primary raw material.

The move came as food manufacturers continued to grapple with unprecedented volatility in cocoa markets. Poor harvests in major producing regions, supply constraints and increasing pressure to improve sustainability credentials have driven interest in alternative ingredients that can reduce exposure to traditional cocoa supply chains.

According to Döhler, the acquisition combined Nukoko's technology with the company's global ingredients portfolio, application expertise and commercialization capabilities.

The fava bean sat at the center of Nukoko's approach. The crop can be cultivated across Europe and benefits from established global supply chains, providing an alternative raw material base for manufacturers looking to diversify sourcing strategies.

Döhler indicated that the technology would be integrated into its wider innovation platform, allowing customers to access cocoa-free solutions supported by the company's research, development and application expertise.

The company said the technology could support a broad range of applications. Planned uses included chocolate alternatives and confectionery products, bakery items, cereals, snacks, ice cream, coatings and fillings, where taste, texture and processing performance remain critical considerations.

Sample availability for customers was scheduled to begin in August 2026.

Kerstin Bergander-Kleinert, Head of BU CNP at Döhler, said the acquisition addressed one of the industry's most pressing challenges. “By bringing Nukoko into the Döhler Group, we are addressing one of the category’s biggest challenges: delivering great-tasting, scalable cocoa-free alternatives that help reduce exposure to volatile cocoa markets,” she said. “Supported by Döhler’s global ingredient, R&D and application expertise, we can help customers create resilient, future-oriented product concepts without compromising sensory experience.”

The acquisition also reflected Döhler's broader approach to innovation through collaboration with emerging technology companies.

In a separate statement announcing the deal, Döhler Ventures revealed it had first connected with Nukoko three years ago, when the founders were developing a technology it believed had significant relevance for the food industry's chocolate and cocoa categories.

The venture arm described the acquisition as an example of its strategy of identifying promising technologies at an early stage, building relationships with entrepreneurs and creating pathways for growth through integration into the wider Döhler business.

For Nukoko, the deal provided access to a global platform capable of accelerating commercialization and scale-up efforts.

Tomlinson and Newton said the acquisition would allow the technology to reach customers around the world more rapidly than would have been possible independently.

“Nukoko’s technology now has the platform to be delivered at scale around the world,” the founders said. “It is incredibly exciting to join the Döhler team. With its global reach and trusted industry expertise, we can create unique solutions that do not currently exist on the market.”

The companies said they would work closely with customers to develop application-specific products that combine sensory performance with supply chain resilience, formulation flexibility and commercial scalability.

The acquisition also highlighted growing activity across the food ingredients sector as companies search for alternatives to commodities facing increasing supply pressures. While cocoa remains an essential ingredient for many products, rising prices and ongoing supply concerns have intensified interest in technologies that can partially or fully replace cocoa in selected applications.

By combining Nukoko's cocoa-free platform with Döhler's global infrastructure, formulation expertise and customer network, the companies aimed to accelerate the development and adoption of next-generation chocolate alternatives while helping manufacturers navigate continuing uncertainty in cocoa markets.