Project description
Developing future-proofed protein supply chains
Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body. All food made from meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts and seeds are considered part of the protein group. The main challenge is ensuring global access to healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The EU-funded SMART PROTEIN project is addressing this issue through future-proofed protein supply chains with a positive impact on the bio-economy, environment, biodiversity, food and nutrition security and consumer trust. It is validating and demonstrating innovative, cost-effective and resource-efficient plant protein products from fava bean, lentil, chickpea and quinoa. Microbial biomass proteins will be created from edible fungi by upcycling side streams from pasta (pasta residues), bread (bread crust) and beer (spent yeast and malting rootlets) industries.
Objective
It is undeniable that protein is an indispensable part of the human diet, but the way we produce and consume it today presents many challenges, in terms of both global consumption patterns and their social, environmental and economic impacts. Providing a growing global population with healthy diets from sustainable food systems is therefore an immediate challenge. SMART PROTEIN aims to industrially validate and demonstrate innovative, cost-effective and resource-efficient, EU-produced, nutritious plant (fava bean, lentil, chickpea, quinoa) and microbial biomass proteins from edible fungi by up-cycling side streams from pasta (pasta residues), bread (bread crust) and beer (spent yeast and malting rootlets) industries. The alternative SMART protein will be used for the production of ingredients and products for direct human consumption, through developing future-proofed protein supply chains with a positive impact on bio-economy, environment, biodiversity, human nutrition, food and nutrition security and consumer trust and acceptance. These priorities will be addressed through global partnerships forged with consortium members from Europe, North America, Israel, Thailand and New Zealand to develop and demonstrate a climate-smart, sustainable protein-food system for a healthy Europe. We will harness plant and microbial protein knowledge to significantly enhance the sustainability and resilience of a new European protein supply chain, improve professional skills and competencies, and support the creation of new jobs in the food sector and bioeconomy.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.1. - Increasing production efficiency and coping with climate change, while ensuring sustainability and resilience
- H2020-EU.3.2.2.3. - A sustainable and competitive agri-food industry
- H2020-EU.3.2.2.2. - Healthy and safe foods and diets for all
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
T12 YN60 Cork
Ireland
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Participants (33)
R93 Carlow
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R95 DXR1 KILKENNY
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R95 T384 Kilkenny
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
T12 Cork
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4806-909 Guimaraes
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
31610 Navarra
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31550 Ribaforada Navarra
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
9000 Gent
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1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
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6708 PV Wageningen
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
3584 CT Utrecht
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1165 Kobenhavn
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Participation ended
2970 HORSHOLM
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3460 Birkerd
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2880 Bagsvaerd
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80686 Munchen
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10785 Berlin
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73479 Ellwangen Jagst
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
64295 Darmstadt
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45881 Gelsenkirchen
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5302 Henndorf Am Wallersee
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33100 Udine
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39100 Bolzano
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21020 Inarzo
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
43122 Parma
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62021 Apiro
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60035 Jesi
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6094800 Givat Brenner
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
2800 Delemont
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74000 Samutsakorn
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7674 Lincoln
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20010 Washington Dc
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96135 Stegaurach
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