FERM4FOOD

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Project description

This project proposes the development of an integrated, CO₂-based biomanufacturing platform for the sustainable production of three high-value bioproducts: single-cell protein (SCP), single-cell oil (SCO), and lactic acid. These compounds will serve as the functional bases for two final consumer products: a protein-rich barista beverage and a bioactive beauty food pouch. This project represents a significant advancement in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies, offering a scalable, circular bioeconomy solution that valorizes CO₂ emissions while addressing global demands for sustainable food and personal care products.

Several innovative strategies will be implemented within the FERM4FOOD project being the bold ambition to demonstrate next-generation, modular and safe precision fermentation platforms for converting CO₂ into food-grade nutrients using genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs). The project harnesses the power of microbial engineering to enable CO₂ valorisation into lactic acid, proteins and microbial oils – nutritional building blocks for future food systems also suitable for vegans. What sets FERM4FOOD apart is its deliberate use of GMOs along fermentation to boost bioconversion efficiency, either promoting a higher selectivity and/or productivity compared to the non-GMO counterparts, while ensuring the safety of the final products required by food regulations. The proposal also integrates cutting-edge DSP processes to further purify the ingredients according to food-grade requirements, combined digitalisation via interoperable digital twins (DTs), scale-up feasibility studies (TEA) and LCSA, pushing well beyond the current state of the art in microbial CO₂ utilisation.

At demonstration scale (TRL7), real CO₂ emissions captured from a brewery will be converted via advanced fermentation and downstream processing routes, ensuring food-grade purity, safety, and regulatory compliance. The resulting ingredients will be validated by their formulation into two innovative vegan consumer products, a protein-rich barista beverage and a functional beauty food pouch, demonstrating nutritional, functional, and market acceptance (through consumer panels).

The FERM4FOOD approach integrates advanced digital twin, life cycle (LCSA) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) to ensure process efficiency, and regulatory compliance, while supporting scale-up and replication. Digital twins will enable real-time process optimisation and modelling, while integrated LCSA and TEA will provide robust data on sustainability, resource use, and economic viability, guiding decision-making for industrial deployment and replication across diverse food sector settings.

DTI contribution

In the FERM4FOOD project, the DTI leads the development of downstream processing (DSP) to convert biomass broth into highly purified, food-grade Single Cell Protein (SCP). Beyond proteins, DTI is responsible for coordinating the downstream process optimization across all three of the project’s platform lines, which also include lactic acid and microbial oils.

Participants

1 AINIA CENTRO TECNOLÓGICO

2 BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT

3 DANISH TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE

4 AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

5 INNOVATEC UK LIMITED

6 COLIPI GMBH

7 ECONUTRI GMBH

8 TRIPLEW BV

9 BIRRIFICIO BALADIN SOCIETA SEMPLICE AGRICOLA

10 FRUSELVA GLOBAL, SAU

11 HYSTECON SRL

12 INDUTEC INGENIEROS S.L.U.

13 RTDS ASSOCIATION

14 CLUSTER FOOD+I

15 BIOTECH CONSULTING SPRL

FERM4FOOD Project 101262970
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor REA can be held responsible for them. European Research Executive Agency (REA)