Netherlands First EU Country to Approve Public Tastings of Fermentation-Based Foods
The Netherlands has become the first EU country to allow public tastings of novel foods produced through fermentation. This new policy applies to products made using precision and biomass fermentation techniques, including animal-free alternatives such as cheese, eggs, and fats. Under this policy, companies can host tasting events for these fermentation-based products prior to receiving full market authorization. The tastings will take place in controlled environments, with safety protocols in …
“World’s First” Cultivated Meat Farm Launches in the Netherlands in Collaboration With RespectFarms
A working farm in Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands, is now equipped to produce cultivated meat thanks to a collaboration between RespectFarms and dairy farmer Corné van Leeuwen. The project, which is claimed to be a world first, is supported by the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-Agri) and the Province of Zuid-Holland. The cultivated meat units will become operational in the coming weeks, demonstrating how farmers could integrate …
Qorium Raises €22M to Scale Production of Cultivated Leather
Qorium, a Dutch biotech company producing cultivated leather, has secured €22 million in Series A funding. Participants in the round included Invest-NL, LIOF, Brightlands Venture Partners, and Sofinnova Partners, along with an influential group of high-net-worth individuals. The Invest-NL investment has been made under the European Commission’s InvestEU guarantee scheme. Qorium is currently installing new bioreactor systems at its Maastricht facilities and has already established several commercial partnerships. The company …
New Food Innovation Park for Sustainable Proteins to Be Established in the Netherlands
Contract research company NIZO has announced that its site in Ede, the Netherlands, is set to be transformed into a food innovation park. The site will enable collaborations between startups, scale-ups, corporates, and knowledge institutions who are working towards the food transition and the development of sustainable proteins. The innovation park will feature facilities such as a food-grade pilot plant and the recently established Biotechnology Fermentation Factory (BFF). These resources …
The Protein Brewery Secures €30M to Advance Its Proprietary Mycoprotein
The Protein Brewery, a Dutch company producing fungi-based food ingredients, has secured €30 million in Series B funding. The round saw participation from new investors Invest-NL and the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), alongside existing investors Novo Holdings, Unovis Asset Management, and Madeli. The Protein Brewery will use the capital to advance its proprietary mycoprotein, Fermotein®, and strengthen its commercial presence. This will include expanding production capacity at the company’s Mijkenbroek …
Aris de Rijke Takes Over Leadership of Meatable as Jeff Tripician Shifts to Board Position
Cultivated meat company, Meatable, has announced a leadership transition following its acquisition of Uncommon Bio’s cultivated meat platform. Aris de Rijke, who has been serving as the company’s Chief Technology Officer, will take over day-to-day operations from Jeff Tripician, who has led Meatable as CEO since 2024. Tripician will move to the role of Board member, where he will continue to offer strategic advice, particularly on commercialization and industry partnerships. …
Consortium to Launch “World’s First” Cultivated Meat Farm in the Netherlands, Helping Farmers Diversify Their Businesses
A new international consortium has announced a pioneering project that aims to establish what is claimed to be the world’s first cultivated meat farm in the Netherlands. The CRAFT Consortium comprises RespectFarms, Wageningen University & Research, Mosa Meat, Aleph Farms, Multus, Kipster, and Royal Kuijpers. The project will work to help farmers diversify their businesses through cultivated meat technology. By integrating cultivated meat into existing farms, CRAFT aims to ensure …
NoPalm Ingredients Establishes First Demonstration Factory in Partnership With NIZO Food Research
Dutch biotech company NoPalm Ingredients has partnered with contract research company NIZO Food Research to establish its first Demonstration Factory at the Food Innovation Campus in Ede. NoPalm Ingredients produces alternatives to palm oil through a proprietary fermentation process that uses upcycled agrifood sidestreams. The company’s process steps were previously spread across several locations, but at the new facility, they will all take place under one roof. This will reportedly …
Meatable Acquires Uncommon Bio’s Cultivated Meat Platform
Netherlands-based cultivated meat company Meatable has announced the acquisition of the cultivated meat platform of UK biotech company Uncommon Bio. The deal includes key technology, intellectual property assets, high-performing cell lines, and expert staff. Meatable claims that it now operates the only true multi-platform cultivated meat technology offering, following the integration of Uncommon Bio’s non-GMO mRNA reprogramming and saRNA differentiation technologies. These capabilities, combined with Meatable’s use of the patented …
Former Henkel and JBT-Marel Executive Jan Agter Appointed as CEO of Mycoprotein Producer ENOUGH
Mycoprotein producer ENOUGH has announced that Jan Agter will assume the role of Interim CEO, succeeding co-founder Jim Laird. Agter is described as an experienced former executive at Henkel and JBT-Marel, and was most recently at Hooghoudt Distillers. He has over 25 years of experience as general manager in complex operations in an international setting. Laird will oversee the transition over the next six months, before moving to a non-executive …