Is Precision Fermentation the Future of Food?
Imagine animal-free cheese that feels, smells, and tastes like the real thing because it is the real thing! While also being cheaper and more sustainable! That’s the kind of new food product made possible by precision fermentation. But we need to face and overcome a few challenges first.
In the search for animal-free foods and alternative proteins, precision fermentation is here to stay - and only going to get bigger. But why isn’t technology taking over more quickly? Largely that’s down to bad timing amid the bigger picture of global economic uncertainty. In this blog post, we’ll look at the potential of precision fermentation, as well as how we can speed up adoption by facing the current challenges.
Precision fermentation uses biotechnology to re-engineer common microbes like yeast to produce proteins and other substances identical to those found in eggs and dairy. And clearly where the texture, taste and applications of these proteins are identical too.
Consumers are also increasingly willing to try these alternative foods. This is down to the growing presence and influence of Gen Z shoppers, as well as consumers in general becoming more comfortable with precision fermentation technology. This all points to a market that will continue to grow and grow.
Cheaper and more sustainable
Trying to meet that demand, manufacturers are also increasing their use of precision fermentation technology. The market potential is, of course, very attractive for growing revenue but there is even greater value for producers. Namely that they can also see precision fermentation massively reducing the cost and carbon footprint of protein production compared with existing animal proteins.
The commercial and sustainable value of this technology — and the need to promote it — has resulted in leading manufacturers forming the Precision Fermentation Alliance (PFA) at the beginning of 2023. The new trade organization is eager to promote precision fermentation as a key solution within a more resilient and sustainable food system.
But this is where the dream is delayed by short-term difficulties. The PFA knows that adoption of precision fermentation is currently a challenge, and we need to find ways of overcoming that.
With all the upside to precision fermentation including greater revenue, lower costs, and a much more sustainable, animal- and cruelty-free process, you might be wondering what’s slowing down its inevitable success. And the answer is mainly bad luck or rather bad timing. With the global economy stuttering and interest rates high, it’s understandably not a good time for many to be investing in increasing capacity for new foods and production processes.
But do we just wait a few years for the economy to turn around? Or do we find ways to minimize the cost and risk of adoption right now, and start reaping the business and sustainability rewards?
Overcoming the obstacles
Let’s be part of the solution and take the lead. The solution can be broken down into three parts which also address the most common challenges facing manufacturers:
Scale-up capacity — global production capacity needs to grow. But also, on an individual level where manufacturers need to be able to launch and then scale-up capacity once their new products start to fill the market demand.
Deliver a timely proof of concept — new products and processes create new demands and challenges of their own. Being able to show a clear, reliable, and optimized production process right from the start is key to good manufacturing but also critical in getting a new food project off the ground.
Reduce costs — there is always the challenge to be competitive in price with more established and traditional products. But with CAPEX investments low and operational costs tighter than ever, making precision fermentation processes as cost-effective as possible can make all the difference. And help turn those red or amber lights green.
The mid- and long-term market value of precision fermentation-based products — in addition to the clear cost and sustainability benefits — mean that many early adopters will push ahead anyway. But addressing the current and short-term challenges will make it easier, cheaper, and quicker for this first wave as well as lowering the threshold and risk to bring in many more manufacturers. We’re at a tipping point within the industry and just need to give a helping hand to nudge precision fermentation into the big time.
Sartorius can help:
Helping manufacturers scale-up from lab and pilot to full production with a wide range of fermenters from 15 mL to 200L.
Providing timely proof of concept thanks to an entire portfolio for the upstream and downstream steps, all from a single supplier. Not to mention helping develop and optimize these processes, thanks to deep knowledge and experience of fermentation processes working together with biopharma and food customers as well as providing demos, software simulations and virtual training.
Helping reduce costs through these optimized processes as well as through our robust, proven technology and valued support.
Optimizing USP and DSP processes
All with the support of a team of experts to help you define and design your process, our offering includes:
Complementary on-site trials for sizing filters and reducing costs
Proven Biostat® B & B-DCU and Ambr® 250 Modular fermenters at the heart of the process
Ambr® technology let's you run trials in parallel, increasing speed to market
Data analytics solutions for DOE and process control
Choice of crossflow solutions: cassette and hollow fibers
Preparation of culture media and additives using single-use technologies including storage bags
Turn your vision into reality
Get in touch with Sartorius. We’re here to help as a trusted supplier to the food industry with extensive experience in fermentation processes, a wide range of proven technologies and a team of experts. Contact us to discuss your situation and explore your options and/or to request a demo or a quote.
