As the conversation on food sustainability accelerates, Amsterdam was once again at the centre of this discussion, hosting the Future of Protein Production 2024 at the RAI. The gathering brought together industry pioneers, scientists and regulatory bodies to address breakthroughs, investment strategies and challenges in the burgeoning alternative protein sector.

This year marked the inaugural co-hosting of Atova’s Regulating the Future of Food Conference, which delved into the crucial regulatory landscapes shaping the trajectory of cultivated, precision-fermented and molecular-farmed foods worldwide.

Strategic Dutch investment in cellular agriculture

The two-day event began on Wednesday with co-founder of KindEarth Tech, Ira Van Eelen, and managing director of Cellulaire Agricultuur Nederland, Ronald Visschers, who took the stage to explore a €60 million investment aimed at building a thriving cellular agriculture ecosystem in the Netherlands.

Van Eelen, a key voice in the field, shared the country’s vision of cultivating sustainable, scalable solutions that support food security. Their discussion focused on the careful allocation of these funds into R&D, infrastructure and collaboration with universities and start-ups to strengthen cellular agriculture at every stage of production.

Their insights set the stage for a ‘State of the industry’ panel, featuring experts including Daniela Correia of MC Sonae, and Gourmey CEO Nicolas Morin-Forest. Here, discussions revolved around fostering transparency with investors and stakeholders – a growing necessity as competition for capital increases. The panellists highlighted that clear, consistent communication with investors and consumers is critical to ensuring industry-wide confidence.

Start-up showcase

This year’s event also introduced a dedicated area for start-ups to present and showcase their innovations.

Wednesday’s 'Start-up symposium' highlighted the vibrant start-up ecosystem, allowing fresh voices to present their unique approaches within the alt-protein space. Companies such as MarraBio, Bright Biotech and PoLoPo showcased innovations from cellular dairy proteins to sustainable seafood, each emphasising efficiency, cost-effectiveness and scalability.

With each start-up given a five-minute window, it became apparent that these emerging players are not only dedicated to advancing technology but are also reimagining the possibilities of alternative proteins by leveraging regional resources, renewable processes and unique biotechnologies.

Scientific and technological advances

Later in the day, Ivy Farm’s interim CEO, Harsh Amin, led a session on recent scientific and technological advances in cellular agriculture. Amin underscored the development of robust cell lines, improved bioreactor technologies and non-animal growth factors as pivotal achievements, driving down costs and improving consistency.

These developments serve as stepping stones toward more efficient production and lay the groundwork for large-scale production of cultivated products with high nutritional and sensory quality.

EU regulatory collaboration

As Thursday began, the spotlight shifted to regulation – a necessary focus as companies seek approval to market novel foods. Wolfgang Gelbmann, senior scientific officer at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), outlined key strategies for optimising collaboration with the EFSA, advocating for transparent communication and early-stage engagement to streamline the regulatory process for cell-cultured and plant-based foods.

Gelbmann’s insights set the stage for a panel discussion on ‘Ensuring food safety in novel proteins,’ where panellists from Vital Meat and the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) addressed navigating regulatory hurdles, particularly for novel ingredients and proteins that may not fit traditional frameworks.

The Atova conference complemented these discussions, exploring regulatory practices in diverse regions. Talks led by industry experts such as Hannah Lester (on precision fermentation) and Henk Hoogenkamp (on molecular farming) reflected the distinct regulatory landscapes across continents.

Noteworthy presentations on specific national frameworks included the Singapore Food Agency’s (SFA) director of risk assessment and communication department, Teng Yong Low’s insights into Singapore’s pioneering approach, as well as representative director of the Japan Association of Cellular Agriculture, Megumi Avigail Yoshitomi’s overview of Japan’s cultivated food market, both highlighting the nuanced regulatory structures evolving in Asia.

Representatives from Israel’s Ministry of Health, Switzerland, South Korea, and the US Food and Drug Association also contributed, providing a snapshot of global regulatory readiness.

The Atova Conference talks brought attention to how regulation must balance safety and innovation, underscoring that collaborative, multi-national approaches are essential for supporting a resilient and transparent food-tech ecosystem.

Next-gen technologies shaping the future of alt-proteins

On the final afternoon of FPP, a forward-thinking panel featured scientists and business leaders, including Melt&Marble’s chief business officer Thomas Cresswell, exploring next-gen protein technologies. Discussion ranged from cell culture to AI-driven ingredient development, with insights into how emerging tech like precision fermentation and hybrid systems can offer versatile protein sources with a smaller environmental footprint.

Ralf Winkler, business development manager of Elementar, and Hamilton’s application and PAT expert of process analytics, Katharina Dahlmann, noted the promising results of combining multiple protein sources, such as fungi and berry cells, creating hybrid foods that could provide enhanced texture, nutrition and sensory appeal.

The Future of Protein Production 2024 underscored that alt-proteins’ potential hinges on both industry advancements and regulatory frameworks. While FPP highlighted the pace of technological innovation, Atova’s conference emphasised the importance of regulatory harmonisation. Both conferences shared a resounding consensus: to meet global protein needs sustainably, regulatory agencies and industry players must engage transparently, align standards and invest in frameworks prioritising consumer health alongside innovation.

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