The Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) has revealed a staggering 960% increase in patent publications related to alternative proteins over the past decade.

The report highlights a robust growth trajectory in the sector, with 1,191 patents published in 2024 alone, compared to just 124 in 2015. This surge underscores a significant shift in innovation dynamics across Europe, particularly in plant-based foods, cultivated meat and fermentation technologies.

The report indicates that the total number of patents published by European organisations has surpassed 5,000, with an average annual growth rate of 32% since 2015. This trend not only reflects the escalating interest in alternative proteins but also aligns with recent increases in public funding and academic research in the field.

Global investments in alternative protein companies reached approximately €2.4 billion in 2021, reflecting a growing market interest that parallels the rise in patent activity.

Dominance of certain countries

However, the analysis reveals a pronounced concentration of innovation within a few countries. Switzerland leads the pack with 1,232 patents from 265 patent families, while Germany boasts the highest number of individual assignees at 82.

Notably, five countries – Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, France and the UK – account for 72% of all patent families, highlighting a regional disparity in alternative protein research and development.

While Nordic countries like Denmark, Finland and Sweden excel in patents per million inhabitants, larger countries such as Spain and Italy show considerable room for improvement, with only 31 patents each in the last decade.

Focus on plant-based innovations

The data illustrates that plant-based innovations dominate the landscape, with nearly 4,000 patents published since 2015, representing 74% of the total. This trend is indicative of the greater maturity and market readiness of plant-based technologies compared to their cultivated and fermentation counterparts.

Despite this progress, essential areas such as breeding improved protein crops to supply raw materials for plant-based products remain largely neglected.

Underdeveloped technologies

The report points to a significant gap in patents related to cultivated meat and fermentation technologies, emphasising the urgent need for foundational research in these areas.

Currently, cultivated meat patents account for only 88 families, while fermentation technologies contribute just 134 families.

The low number of patents in these sectors signals a pressing need for more investment in research to stimulate innovation, particularly in developing effective culture media for cell growth and efficient microbial strains for fermentation.

The lack of focus on seafood alternatives is particularly concerning, with just 1% of all patent families dedicated to this area, indicating a critical opportunity for researchers and innovators.

Market implications

Meat continues to be the most common intended end product, with 41% of patent families targeting this category. Dairy products follow closely, but seafood alternatives are notably underrepresented, with just 1% of all patent families dedicated to this area.

This suggests a critical opportunity for researchers and innovators to explore seafood alternatives further, given the increasing consumer demand for diverse protein sources. Surveys indicate that 70% of European consumers are interested in trying alternative proteins, yet taste and price remain significant barriers to widespread adoption.

Expert commentary

Dr David Hunt, research support manager at GFI Europe, commented on the findings: “This report reveals the rapid pace of Europe’s alternative protein innovation. However, alongside the exciting breakthroughs, we find that key areas needed to commercialise these foods are being overlooked, and there is a risk that some countries may be left behind."

"To drive green growth and boost food security, governments and funding bodies must build a thriving ecosystem by providing more opportunities for public research organisations to collaborate closely with private companies. This would deliver open-access innovation that will benefit the entire field and help bring findings to market more quickly.”

Future growth

The findings from GFI Europe underscore the dynamic growth of the alternative protein sector in Europe, marked by a 960% increase in patent activity and significant investments nearing €2.4 billion in 2021.

With Europe accounting for about 18% of the global alternative protein market, the region is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable food systems. However, the report also highlights critical gaps in research that must be addressed to ensure the sector's long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Image credit: Kerry