Description

ProFuture is a H2020 innovation action aiming to scale up microalgae production and set the basis for market uptake of innovative, healthy and sustainable food and feed products, reformulated with protein-rich ingredients from Spirulina, Lemon/lightly/Chlorella vulgaris, Tetraselmis chui and Nannochloropsis oceanica. The project is coordinated by the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) in Spain and the consortium is composed of 8 RTDs, 16 SMEs, 8 large industries and 1 association, that brings together expertise with a clear market orientation to increase the competitiveness of the EU microalgae value chain.

The tasks and goals of ProFuture are:

Boost sustainability of the microalgal biomass production and processing, by reducing energy/water consumption and the carbon footprint (multi-factors approach and LCA/LCC)
  Implementation of innovative technologies to increase the efficiency and decrease the production costs of biomass, ingredients and foods/feeds
  Optimize workflows tested at pilot plant, as part of a biorefinery process, to produce single-cell proteins and protein isolates, which will be characterized for their nutritional, safety, techno-functional and organoleptic properties as well as for economic viability & sustainability
  Formulate food and feed with novel ingredients at pilot plant level in collaboration with SME and large companies.
  Incorporation of single-cell proteins in foods and feeds produced at industrial scale.
  Analysis of the food/feed microalgae value chain in EU and proposition of improvements to increase the economic viability and the communication between actors
  Demonstration of social and economic benefits of innovative food and feed products by: i) supporting the authorization of novel microalgae protein ingredients for food and/or feed applications in the EU, ii) assessing consumer acceptance of and preference for microalgae protein-based products, iii) preparing a successful market implementation and exploitation of the project results and iv) devising a dissemination and communication plan for maximum outreach to all relevant stakeholders.

ACRONYM
ProFuture
REFERENCE
Grant agreement ID: 862980
PROGRAM/CALL
H2020-SFS-2019-1
START/END DATE
01/10/19 → 31/12/23
WEBSITE
www.pro-future.eu
TOTAL BUDGET
€ 9.448.451
COLAB BUDGET
€ 117.390

LEADER INSTITUTION
IRTA – INSTITUTE OF AGRIFOOD RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY