The Biotech4Food project seeks to address several overarching challenges, each of which affects the ecosystem of bio-based industry. These challenges present us with innovation opportunities if we can translate them into technological solutions in the food value chain. In this challenging environment, it is very important for EU agrifood companies to be able to maintain and strengthen their local and international competitive positions within the global value chains. It is also important to be able to respond flexibly and efficiently to rapidly changing consumer demands and to protein diversification and, on top of that, to be able to focus on sustainability and increased circularity in their processing systems.

Biotechnology, as one of the “Key Enabling Technologies”, can stimulate and enhance innovation within the agrifood sector and support the sustainability and resilience of food companies as a response to these challenges.

ProMic from Apple Pomace
The project aims to establish a robust, stable and cost-efficient microbial protein production process through biomass fermentation, starting from residual materials derived from the fruit industry, notably apple pomace. Various fermentation configurations will be demonstrated and fine-tuned, including batch and continuous systems, in addition to exploring the use of mono- and co-culture strategies. This initiative is in alignment with the overarching goal of advancing sustainable protein production, primarily for use in animal feed and ultimately for human consumption, by valorizing a readily abundant byproduct that currently lacks efficient processing pathways.The project’s primary activities are multifaceted and centered around advancing the production of SCP from apple pomace, a residual byproduct from the fruit industry, over the course of one and a half years.

Download the Presentation of the Biotech4Food Industry Partners