Canadian and German-listed EnWave Corp (TSX-V:ENW/FRA:E4U), a specialist in dehydration technology, is supporting a new roll out in the foods space with Colombia’s Alpina Productos Alimenticios. Alpina is an existing license holder of EnWave dehydration technology but has not previously been named.
Alpina is using EnWave’s technology to launch a new range of dried cheese snacks into the Colombian market. It is the third largest dairy company in Colombia with annual sales of over US $700 million and operations in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Alpina previously signed an evaluation agreement with EnWave in May 2020 and subsequently purchased a 10kW REV machine in July 2021. The royalty-bearing license was signed on July 19, 2021 to initiate production of its REV dried cheese snack portfolio.
The brand, Alpina Snacks, is being launched to target South American consumers looking for better-for-you snack options with clean labels. Alpina Snacks’ new product contains only 100% dehydrated cheese.
Three initial cheese flavours, Dutch (Edam), Parmesan, and Sopo, are being launched as part of the Alpina Snacks portfolio. Each variety provides – protein, is gluten-free and keto-friendly, contains no artificial ingredients and is produced without oil or frying. Alpina will leverage its extensive distribution network to gain placement in specialty health stores, airports, e-retailers, and e-commerce, in addition to traditional grocery retail distribution.
EnWave’s patented technology growing over several markets
Based in Vancouver, EnWave has developed its Radiant Energy Vaccum (REV) technology to assist with the dehydration of food and cannabis products. Its technology is patented, and assists with the fast and cost-effective dehydration of products for transport and storage. It has been demonstrated to be a very efficient means of dehydrating cannabis while preserving key ingredients at a higher level than traditional methods.
EnWave’s technology is being successfully developed and grown over several market verticals, including food and indeed pharmaceuticals. Its strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with innovative, disruptive companies in multiple verticals, for the use of its REV technology.
EnWave is also active in the pharmaceutical industry, as part of its deal with GEA Lyophil, a leader in GMP drying machinery.
Terms of the Alpina deal
The exclusive right granted to Alpina to produce crunchy, shelf-stable cheese snacks in Colombia is pursuant to meeting certain minimum royalty and machine purchase order requirements. These new products will complement Alpina’s existing broad portfolio of established dairy brands that are currently being sold throughout Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
EnWave’s scalable and reliable REV technology can be used to produce shelf-stable snack products that are among the best in nutritional value, taste, texture, and colour. EnWave has signed 49 royalty-bearing commercial license agreements with companies that are bringing innovative new products to market using EnWave’s patented dehydration technology.
Alpina Productos Alimenticios S.A. BIC is the third largest dairy producing company in Colombia. With sales totalling over US $700 million annually, the dairy, food, and beverage company operates in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and the United States. Its products include beverages, milk, baby food, desserts, cheeses, cream, butter and snacks. The company was founded in 1945 and is based in Bogota, Colombia.
