Döhler has acquired UK-based food technology company Nukoko, strengthening its position in the rapidly emerging cocoa-free chocolate alternatives market.

The acquisition brings together Döhler's global ingredients, flavour and application expertise with Nukoko's proprietary cocoa-free technology platform, which uses fava beans as the foundation for chocolate alternative ingredients.

The move comes at a time when cocoa markets continue to face significant disruption from climate-related challenges, supply shortages and price fluctuations, prompting food and beverage manufacturers to explore alternative raw materials and more resilient sourcing strategies.

Nukoko has developed a cocoa-free chocolate alternative using a combination of advanced biotechnology, traditional cocoa-processing techniques and craft production methods. The company says its technology is designed to replicate key sensory characteristics associated with chocolate while reducing reliance on cocoa as the primary ingredient.

A key differentiator is its use of fava beans, a crop that can be cultivated across Europe and benefits from a more stable and diversified supply chain than cocoa. The approach aligns with growing industry efforts to localise ingredient sourcing and reduce exposure to climate-sensitive commodities.

For Döhler, the acquisition expands its portfolio of plant-based ingredients and next-generation food solutions while providing customers with access to alternative chocolate concepts across multiple categories.

From August 2026, the company plans to offer samples for a range of applications, including confectionery, bakery, cereals, ice cream, coatings and fillings.

The technology could prove particularly relevant for manufacturers looking to maintain chocolate-style flavour profiles and indulgent sensory experiences while managing formulation costs and mitigating supply risks.

Kerstin Bergander-Kleinert, head of BU CNP at Döhler, said: "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."

The acquisition also reflects broader investment across the food industry in alternative ingredients that can help address raw material shortages while supporting sustainability goals.

Nukoko founders Kit Tomlinson and Ross Newton said: "Nukoko's technology now has the platform to be delivered at scale around the world. With Döhler's global reach and trusted industry expertise, we can create unique solutions that do not currently exist on the market."

The companies plan to work jointly with customers to develop application-specific products that combine flavour performance, formulation flexibility and commercial viability.

As cocoa prices remain elevated and long-term supply concerns persist, industry analysts expect interest in cocoa-reduction and cocoa-free technologies to continue growing. Döhler's acquisition of Nukoko signals increasing confidence that alternative chocolate ingredients could move beyond niche innovation and become an important component of future confectionery and food product development.