FERM4FOOD

Scalable CO₂-Based Precision Fermentation for Functional Food Ingredients

FERM4FOOD aims to revolutionise the production of functional food ingredients by demonstrating the first integrated, scalable EU platform that converts industrial CO2 emissions into high-value, food-grade ingredients through precision fermentation with genetically engineered microorganisms. Targeting lactic acid, single cell protein, and microbial oils, FERM4FOOD addresses the urgent need to decarbonise the European food sector and reduce dependence on fossil and agricultural resources. 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).  

Click here to read the FERM4FOOD Press Release, dd 11.6.2026

ACTIVITIES of the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant

• Perform scale-up from pilot to demo scale 
• Integrate and operate mobile, containerised fermentation units 
• Deliver industrial demonstration (TRL 6-7) using real CO₂ emissions for the production of lactic acid and microbial protein 
• Develop and apply novel purification technologies for purification of lactic acid  

PARTNER

• AINIA (ES) 
• BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZW (BE) 
• TEKNOLOGISK INSTITUT (DK) 
• GEOPONIKO PANEPISTIMION ATHINON (GR) 
• INEUVO LTD (UK) 
• COLIPI GmbH (DE) 
• ECONUTRI GMBH (AU) 
• TripleW (BE) 
• BIRRIFICIO BALADIN SOCIETA SEMPLICEAGRICOLA (IT) 
• FRUSELVA GLOBAL SA (ES) 
• HYSYTECH SRL (IT) 
• INDUTEC INGENIEROS SL (ES) 
• RTDS (AU) 
• ASOCIACION CLUSTER FOOD+I (ES) 
• BioCompas (BE) 

SUPPORTED by

This project has received funding from the European Union under Grant Agreement number: 101262970.