In the Biotech4Food project, funded by the European Union, we aim to accelerate sustainable and innovative biotechnology solutions in the agrifood sector. By leveraging biotechnology, the project seeks to address pressing challenges such as food security, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability. An ecosystem analysis and value chain mapping of three different value chains were performed within the 8 different regions that are represented in the project to provides insights into the opportunities, challenges, and value chain structures necessary to integrate biotechnology into food systems and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders across Europe.
Challenges, needs and opportunities in the agrifood sector
Biotechnology applications, such as microbial and precision fermentation and enzyme technologies offer promising solutions for protein diversification, sustainable food production, and other functional foods. Many European regions have strong research and technological capacities, particularly in microbial biotechnology and biomanufacturing. These advancements have the potential to reduce reliance on traditional agricultural resources while improving food quality and nutrition. The sector is growing, presenting significant economic and sustainability benefits.
However, regulatory complexity in European food biotechnology, especially concerning novel foods and GMOs, poses obstacles to commercialization. Approval processes can be lengthy and expensive, making it difficult for innovative solutions to reach the market. Consumer acceptance remains a challenge, highlighting the need for greater public awareness and trust in biotech-derived food products. Addressing misinformation and promoting the benefits of biotechnology could help shift public perception.
While there are sufficient pilot-scale facilities across Europe for first scale-up testing the need for funding of this scale-up phase is really high and still involves quite a high risk, causing a ‘valley of death’ to go to industrial commercialization. Many biotech start-ups struggle with the high costs of scaling up production, which hinders market entry. Additionally, stronger cross-border cooperation is needed to enhance knowledge-sharing and market access for biotech innovations. By fostering transregional collaboration, Europe can create a more robust and interconnected biotech ecosystem.
The complete report on the ecosystem analysis: Inventory of challenges and needs and regional brainstorm reports can be found here.
Value Chain Insights
Within the Biotech4Food project, three value chains (microbial proteins, microalgae, and probiotic supplements) were selected for a more in depth mapping to identify regional strengths, commercialization challenges, and collaborative opportunities.
Microbial proteins, produced by biomass and precision fermentation, can contribute to sustainable protein sources by offering alternatives to animal-derived proteins. These technologies are estimated to have a reduced environmental impact. Microalgae cultivation provides nutritional compounds like omega-3 fatty acids and pigments, often using photobioreactors that require careful optimization to ensure economic viability. Probiotic supplements focus on live bacteria production with proven health benefits, requiring extensive R&D and clinical validation to ensure efficacy and regulatory compliance.
Despite strong research and development bases in many regions for these value chains, transitioning to commercial production often remains difficult due to infrastructure limitations and the high costs associated with scaling up production. Facilitate access and funding for pilot-scale production facilities across Europe, public-private partnerships, and investment networks is crucial to overcome these barriers. Encouraging transregional partnerships can facilitate shared learning, knowledge exchange, and access to funding, helping biotech food innovations become more competitive on the global stage.
The complete report on the value chain mapping and the regional results and conclusions can be found here.
Conclusion
The Biotech4Food project highlights both the potential and barriers of integrating biotechnology into food systems. Addressing regulatory challenges, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering interregional cooperation will be key to unlocking the full potential of biotech innovations for a more sustainable agri-food industry in Europe. By supporting investment in biotechnology and encouraging cross-border collaboration, Europe can position itself as a global leader in sustainable food innovation, ensuring long-term food security and environmental resilience.
