NoPalm Ingredients, a Dutch fermentation company, has been named one of four finalists for the 2026 Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize, the largest environmental award in food and agriculture. The company grows oleaginous yeast in fermentation tanks fed with food industry side streams to produce fats that mimic palm oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, with a 90% reduction in carbon emissions and 99% less land use compared to conventional fats.

The selection process for the prize involved rigorous due diligence, with on-site visits to the finalists. NoPalm's innovative process was lauded by the Prize Committee for its potential to decarbonize supply chains and reduce pressure on ecosystems vulnerable to climate change. The winner will receive USD 1.5 million, with the three remaining finalists each receiving USD 150,000. CEO Lars Langhout expressed gratitude for being selected as a finalist and emphasized the importance of the recognition in validating their work both scientifically and commercially.