Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced it is making minority investments in two companies that make products from aquatic plants. Plantible uses Lemna to create a plant-based protein, and CH4 Global, uses whole, dried Asparagopsis seaweed as a feed additive to reduce methane emissions from cattle.
Introduced in 2022, Cultivate Next makes early-stage investments into strategically aligned companies that further Chipotle’s mission to Cultivate a Better World and help accelerate the company’s longer-term growth plans to operate 7,000 restaurants in North America.
Plantible has developed a vertically integrated manufacturing platform to produce Rubi Protein from Lemna, more commonly known as duckweed. The company said its plant-based protein can mimic the quality, taste, and texture of popular animal-based proteins and can replace synthetic emulsifiers and binders.
“Plantible’s vertically integrated and traceable supply chain aligns with our commitment to ingredient transparency and Food with Integrity standards,” said Curt Garner, Chief Customer and Technology Officer at Chipotle. “Investing in a like-minded venture that strives to transform the global food supply could help the entire industry unlock new opportunities for plant-based menu offerings.”
CH4 Global uses whole, dried Asparagopsis seaweed for its flagship product, Methane Tamer, a feed additive that can reduce methane emissions in cattle. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG) produced by cows while they eat. Research shows that the seaweed can significantly reduce methane cows produce, though some studies have shown that the seaweed harms cows’ health. CH4 said its feed could allow cows to derive more energy and nutrition from the same amount of food, which would help them grow or produce milk more efficiently while reducing their environmental impact.
