Synopsis:
Del Monte Corporation has partnered with ingredient manufacturer Treatt to launch a range of clean-label fruit extracts for the beverage industry. Produced from upcycled fruit that would otherwise go to waste, the new ingredients target growing demand for natural flavours and sustainable sourcing in soft drinks and juices.
Del Monte Corporation has expanded its specialty ingredients business through a new partnership with global ingredient manufacturer Treatt to develop a portfolio of clean-label fruit extracts for the beverage industry, reinforcing its focus on sustainability and value-added innovation.
The collaboration will supply beverage manufacturers with real fruit extracts made from upcycled fruit that does not enter Del Monte’s fresh-cut product range. The ingredients are designed for use in soft drinks, juices and other non-alcoholic beverages, with flavours including pineapple, watermelon, mango and cantaloupe.
The move comes as beverage companies increasingly seek natural, recognisable ingredients that align with consumers’ growing preference for clean-label and minimally processed products.
According to Del Monte, the partnership also supports its broader sustainability strategy by converting fruit that would otherwise go unused into high-value ingredients, reducing food waste while creating new commercial opportunities.
“At Del Monte Corporation, we are continuously exploring new ways to maximise the value of every fruit we grow and source,” said Deema Anani, Chief Commercial Officer of Del Monte’s Specialty Ingredients Division. “This collaboration demonstrates how innovation and responsible sourcing can work together to create premium fruit-derived ingredients that address evolving consumer preferences.”
The initiative builds on Del Monte’s entry into the specialty ingredients segment in 2024, when the company established a dedicated division focused on clean-label solutions for the food and beverage industry. The business is intended to diversify revenue streams while supporting the company’s environmental goals through improved resource utilisation.
Treatt will contribute its proprietary natural extraction technology to preserve authentic fruit flavour while ensuring ingredient consistency and performance in beverage formulations. The company supplies natural botanical, citrus and fruit-based ingredients to food and beverage manufacturers globally.
Emma Bowles, Group Director of Category and Marketing at Treatt, said the collaboration addresses three major trends shaping the beverage market—authentic taste, ingredient transparency and sustainability.
The launch also comes as Del Monte pursues new avenues for growth following its US$285 million acquisition of Del Monte Foods, which reunited the company’s fresh and canned fruit businesses under a single ownership structure for the first time in nearly four decades. The acquisition is expected to strengthen cash generation as the company navigates ongoing challenges in its agricultural operations, including geopolitical disruptions and supply chain pressures.
With sustainability becoming an increasingly important differentiator in food and beverage innovation, the partnership positions both Del Monte and Treatt to capitalise on rising demand for naturally sourced, fruit-forward ingredients backed by strong environmental credentials.