A delegation of 13 people from the INNOVACC cluster visits the United Kingdom to learn first-hand about business innovations in the fields of plant-based, insects, fermentation and cultured meat.

Olot, September 4, 2024

From 2 to 4 July 2024, the INNOVACC CATALAN MEAT AND ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN cluster organised a mission, with the support of ACCIÓ – Generalitat de Catalunya, to explore the alternative protein ecosystem in the United Kingdom and establish international collaborations. The first trip in this field, organised by the cluster, took place in the Netherlands in November 2022. Following this experience, the mission was repeated in Israel in July 2023 and, more recently, in the United Kingdom in July 2024. All these trips have been aimed at exploring the alternative protein ecosystem.

The objectives of the trip were, firstly, to gain an in-depth understanding of the alternative protein ecosystem in the United Kingdom, visiting leading companies in areas such as plant-based products, insect products, fermentation and cultured meat. In addition, to connect Catalan companies and research centres with leading alternative protein startups, thus fostering the creation of bilateral links and collaborations. Another objective was to discover innovations and new trends that could inspire the strategies of participating companies and technological and research centres in the medium and long term.

The Catalan delegation consisted of 13 members:

• 5 Catalan companies
  • 3 dedicated to the production of meat and alternative protein products: Esteban Espuña SA, Noel Alimentaria SAU, Friselva SA.
  • 1 dedicated to the production of vegetable drinks: Liquats Vegetals, SA.
  • 1 food machinery: Metalquima SAU
• 4 technological and research centers: IRTA, Eurecat, Leitat, Biohubcat

During the stay, visits were made to the following companies:

• Quorn/Marlow Ingredients (Biomass fermentation)
• Innovation Centre Medway (Proteïna alternativa): Planet Seitan (Seitan), Alternative Protein Association (association of its kind in Europe, designed to promote the value of alternative proteins in the UK), Brusco Food Group (plant based products), Extracellular (Cultivated Meat, Plant Cell culture), Kyomei (molecular farming and biotechnology company), MyCo plc (trading as Hooba Foods) (plant-based meat)
• Yum bug (insect protein)

• White City Innovation District: Roslin Technologies, Multus Biotechnology, Extracellular, Hoxton Farms, Meatly (Cultured Meat)
• Visit to the Multus Biotechnology laboratory (Cultured meat)
• Visit to the Meatly laboratory (cultured meat)

The UK is confirmed as a key market for alternative proteins, with a meat-free sector valued at around 675 million euros and a strong presence in vegan product launches. However, the sector still faces significant challenges, such as the need to improve taste and similarity to meat in order to retain consumers.

The UK is also one of the countries with the largest number of companies dedicated to cultured meat, ranking third globally after the United States and Israel. Its academic and business ecosystem is growing rapidly thanks to new public and private investments. The recent authorisation to market meat grown by pets by Meatly, just two weeks after the visit, exemplifies the dynamism of this sector.

The visits and sessions organised during the mission have allowed participants to learn first-hand about the latest innovations in the field of alternative protein, especially in areas such as plant-based products, insects, fermentation and cultured meat. These visits included both internationally recognised companies, such as Quorn, and emerging startups and leading innovation centres, offering a complete overview of the British ecosystem.

The mission also facilitated the establishment of relationships with key associations and innovation centres, such as the Alternative Protein Association, the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, the Medway Food Innovation Centre and the Good Food Institute. These links are particularly valuable for promoting future collaborations and knowledge exchange between Catalonia and the United Kingdom.

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