GLOBAL – The European Union (EU) has announced a US$54.7 million investment in 2024 to support the scaling up of production for alternative proteins, particularly those produced using precision fermentation technologies.
This initiative is part of the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Work Programme 2024 under the Horizon Europe program, aiming to enhance the sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of the European supply chain.
Precision fermentation is a fermentation method that utilizes microorganisms, such as yeast, to produce real animal proteins like whey and casein without relying on traditional animal farming.
These proteins are crucial for providing taste and texture to food products such as cheese, meat, and eggs, enabling companies to create animal-free alternatives that closely mimic traditional counterparts.
Products developed through precision fermentation can significantly reduce carbon emissions and are free from antibiotics.
The funding, allocated under the EIC’s Accelerator Challenge, is designed to support the development of viable alternatives in the alternative protein space.
The objective is to produce protein-rich foods with other essential nutrients, utilizing existing agricultural sidestreams and reducing pressure on natural resources like land and water.
Several European companies are already utilizing precision fermentation to create innovative and sustainable food products.
Belgium-based Paleo is developing animal-free myoglobin proteins for meat alternative applications, while Finland’s Onego Bio is using the technology to produce animal-free egg proteins.
Acacia Smith, Senior Policy Manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, applauded the EU’s recognition of precision fermentation’s potential to address food security, improve public health, and reduce reliance on imports.
The funding aims to address critical areas such as scaling up production, consumer acceptance, regulatory approval, and market entry.
Meanwhile, the global precision fermentation market is experiencing substantial growth, with a value of US$1.3 billion in 2021 and a projected reach of US$34.9 billion by 2031.
The technique involves creating complex organic chemicals from living microbes, and its applications extend beyond food to various industries.
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the precision fermentation market continues to grow, driven by innovation and increasing demand for sustainable alternatives.
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