Döhler acquires Nukoko to accelerate cocoa-free innovation

The acquired company's chocolate alternative is based on fava beans.

Döhler has acquired Nukoko, a UK tech company specializing in cocoa-free chocolate alternatives. The acquisition expands Döhler’s capabilities in cocoa-free chocolate alternative solutions, reportedly combining a fava bean-based approach with an advanced biotechnology platform to help address cocoa supply volatility, cost pressure, and the growing demand for sustainability-forward ingredient solutions.

Scaling next-generation chocolate alternatives

Complementing Döhler’s broad portfolio of plant-based ingredients and integrated solutions, Nukoko has developed a cocoa-free chocolate alternative based on fava beans. According to the company, its technology platform, developed by biotechnology specialists, cocoa experts, and process engineers, combines advanced biotechnology with traditional cocoa processing and craft techniques to create chocolate alternative ingredients designed to deliver a strong sensory experience without relying on cocoa as the core raw material.

The fava bean is central to Nukoko’s approach. As a resilient crop that can be cultivated in Europe and benefits from a secure global supply, it reportedly offers a strong foundation for scalable, next-generation chocolate alternative solutions.

Creating value for customers across applications

Customers will benefit from the combination of Nukoko’s technology and Döhler’s extensive flavour and ingredients expertise, the companies say. Starting in August, sample availability is planned for a wide range of applications, including:

Chocolate alternatives and confectionery: Supporting cocoa-free concepts with strong taste and sensory performance.
Bakery and cereals: Enabling chocolate-style taste profiles and inclusions in baked goods and cereal-based breakfast and snacks.
Ice cream, coatings, and fillings: Creating opportunities for indulgent applications where taste, texture, and processing performance are critical.

Powered by Döhler’s Global Innovation Platform

The integration reflects Döhler’s entrepreneurial approach to innovation and value creation. By combining natural ingredients, advanced biotechnology, and customer co-creation, Döhler is striving to enable manufacturers to move from early-stage ideas to market-ready concepts with greater speed and confidence.

“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,” says Kerstin Bergander-Kleinert, head of BU CNP at Döhler. “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.”

Enabling customer trials and future applications

Döhler and Nukoko will work closely with customers to develop application-specific solutions that combine great taste, supply chain resilience, formulation flexibility, and commercial scalability, they say.

“Nukoko’s technology now has the platform to be delivered at scale around the world,” comments founders Kit Tomlinson and Ross Newton. “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.”

Together, the companies aim to accelerate the future of cocoa-free chocolate alternative innovation while supporting customers in navigating one of the food industry’s most pressing raw material challenges.