NEW YORK — Perfect Day, a producer of animal-free dairy proteins, has announced a joint development agreement with Archer Daniels Midland Co. The companies will work together to optimize and scale the production of casein and whey using fermentation in microflora instead of using farmed animals.

“ADM has been a leader in plant proteins for decades,” said Victoria de la Huerga, vice-president of ADM Ventures. “We are excited to work with Perfect Day to launch a complementary source of dairy protein that could lead to a myriad of opportunities for food innovators and consumers.”

Animal-free dairy proteins offer consumers a lactose-free, animal-free alternative to conventional dairy while providing a portfolio of nutritious, functional proteins with similar taste and nutrition profile of dairy proteins for a broad range of food and beverage applications, according to the company. The proteins are vegan, soy-free, gluten-free and lactose-free while providing the same nutritional benefits as traditional dairy proteins.

“We are on a journey to bring sustainable, nutritious and delicious dairy to everyone,” said Ryan Pandya, co-founder and chief executive officer of Perfect Day. “We are thrilled to partner with ADM, a global leader in fermentation, to accelerate our path to market. With this partnership, we will enable brands to make your favorite foods in a kinder, greener way.”

The companies expect to commercialize and supply animal-free dairy proteins to the food industry in 2019.

Founded in 2014, Perfect Day employs a team of chefs, food developers, scientists, engineers and marketers. Crafting dairy proteins without cows requires less energy consumption, land usage, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, according to the company.