Kinish secures US$800,000 in seed funding to develop rice-based casein for sustainable dairy alternatives

Kinish, a Japanese molecular farming startup, has raised US$800,000 in seed funding to advance its rice-based casein production. The funding round, which saw participation from Genesia Ventures, Lifetime Ventures, Full Commit Partners, and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, will enable the company to scale its research and development activities, establish production systems, and navigate regulatory approvals.

Kinish is a Tokyo-based startup founded by Hiroya Hashizume in 2023, and uses plant molecular farming to produce milk proteins from dwarf rice plants. Their technology combines vertical farming and biotechnology, enabling large-scale production of rice-based dairy alternatives with reduced environmental impact. COO Atsushi Shibuya and Head of Vertical Farm Shimpei Ichikawa support the company’s strategy focused on sustainable food solutions.

Casein, a primary protein found in dairy products, is essential for replicating the texture, taste, and functionality of conventional dairy. Traditional casein production relies on animal agriculture, which raises concerns over greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land requirements. Kinish’s approach uses rice plants as biofactories to produce casein, offering a plant-based solution with reduced environmental impact.

The company’s molecular farming technology modifies rice plants to express casein proteins, allowing for direct extraction and purification. This method not only reduces reliance on livestock farming but also leverages rice, a staple crop in Japan, to produce a sustainable protein source.

The dairy industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and resource consumption. Conventional dairy production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and uses large amounts of water and land. Plant-based dairy alternatives have emerged as a potential solution, but many lack the functional properties of animal-derived proteins.

Casein plays a critical role in giving dairy products their characteristic texture and nutritional properties. While many plant-based dairy alternatives use ingredients like soy, oats, or almonds, replicating the functionality of casein has been challenging. Kinish aims to bridge this gap by producing molecularly identical casein without animals, potentially enabling plant-based products that closely match the texture and taste of traditional dairy.

Kinish’s rice-based casein could be used in a wide range of dairy alternatives, including cheese, yogurt, and milk. These products would retain the melting, stretching, and emulsification properties typical of dairy, improving their appeal to consumers seeking alternatives without compromising on quality.

With the seed funding secured, Kinish plans to expand its laboratory operations and establish pilot production facilities. The company will also focus on obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to commercialize its rice-based casein products.

Navigating regulatory pathways is essential for molecular farming companies. Kinish intends to work closely with Japanese food safety authorities to demonstrate that its casein meets existing food safety standards. The company’s use of rice, a familiar crop in the region, could facilitate acceptance among regulators and consumers alike.

Producing casein through molecular farming has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with dairy production. By using rice as a host crop, Kinish can produce casein with fewer greenhouse gas emissions, lower water use, and less land compared to traditional dairy farming.

Additionally, rice-based casein production could create new opportunities for Japanese rice farmers, whose industry has faced challenges due to declining domestic consumption. By providing an alternative use for rice crops, Kinish’s technology could contribute to revitalizing local agriculture while addressing sustainability goals.

Kinish’s next steps include scaling its production process to meet commercial demand and establishing partnerships with food manufacturers interested in incorporating rice-based casein into their products. The company also plans to explore additional proteins and functional ingredients that can be produced using its molecular farming platform.