Roadmap: Paving the way towards animal-free milk proteins
This report is a roadmap for Denmark to take the lead in alternative milk protein production, building on Denmark's many strengths within biotech.
We are excited to reveal a new roadmap that describes the overall steps to establish a precision fermentation industry for milk proteins. The Roadmap is prepared by Protein Frontiers and Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies and has been funded by the Network Animal Free Protein – Fermentation Produced Milk Protein which is supported by GUDP and NIRAS.
A vision for Denmark
The vision is to create a Danish hub for protein food ingredients produced by precision fermentation that will create a new export opportunity for sustainable foods.
The Roadmap addresses potentials, barriers and recommendations linked to the value chain. It aligns with the overall ambitions of the green transition of the agricultural and food sector to achieving the climate goals and creating jobs in an emerging new industry.
Transformation
Denmark needs to transform the food system to become climate neutral by 2045.
This requires a significant part of the livestock to be taken out of the equation and replaced by plant-based food, which in part is challenged in terms of taste, functionality, and nutrition. This creates barriers for many consumers´ acceptance. Animal protein produced by precision fermentation does not have this barrier. Furthermore, the fermentation process has a low climate impact, supplements and improves the plant-based diet and reduces CO2 emission by 50-90pct.
Our shared vision is that Denmark becomes a leading country in the precision fermentation of milk proteins - a country that reduces greenhouse gases, frees up agricultural land, preserves jobs and creates new export opportunities for the food industry.