Nutreco opens first-of-its-kind cell feed production facility in The Netherlands

NETHERLANDS – Nutreco has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in sustainable protein production by opening the world’s first food-grade powder production facility dedicated to cell feed. 

Located in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, this pioneering facility is set to address one of the most significant challenges facing the cultivated protein industry—how to efficiently and sustainably feed protein cells on a large scale.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on October 23, 2024, marked an important step forward in Nutreco’s mission to support the global food industry’s transition to alternative protein sources. 

David Blakemore, CEO of Nutreco, underscored the company’s commitment to continuous innovation during his opening remarks, emphasising the urgent need for collaboration to tackle the growing challenge of feeding an expanding global population.

“We recognise the immense possibilities in cultivated protein and believe this industry holds tremendous potential,” Blakemore said. “However, one of its greatest hurdles is developing a cost-efficient, sustainable way to feed the cells on a large scale. Nutreco is committed to producing cell culture media at lower costs, enabling the industry to scale up and make cultivated protein more accessible to consumers globally.”

The event’s keynote speaker, Emeline Fellus, Senior Director of Agriculture and Food at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), delivered a thought-provoking address on the evolution of global agrifood systems. 

She highlighted the need to shift away from outdated systems designed for maximising caloric supply at the expense of resource efficiency.

“As our planet faces mounting environmental pressures, protein sourcing must evolve. We need a balanced approach—one that diversifies protein sources, makes traditional animal protein production more sustainable, and shifts consumption towards alternatives that reduce our environmental footprint,” said Fellus.

Fellus also spoke to the importance of international policies and regulations in supporting the transition to alternative proteins while ensuring the involvement of consumers and a fair transition for farmers.

The event featured discussions from key industry leaders and Nutreco partners, including Lou Cooperhouse, CEO of BlueNalu, Maarten Bosch, CEO of Mosa Meat, and Ernst van Orsouw, CEO of Roslin Technologies. 

Their insights covered various topics, from bridging innovations between aquaculture and cell feed to discovering ultra-specialty ingredients for cell culture media.

Mireille Bombeld, Director of Rabobank’s Food Transition Team, shared Rabobank’s vision for supporting the growth of the alternative protein sector through strategic financing, emphasising the bank’s long-standing commitment to fostering sustainable food solutions.

The facility was officially inaugurated by SHV Executive Board Member Ricardo Kandelman, who led a tour of the state-of-the-art facility, including Masterlab, Nutreco’s global laboratory specialising in animal feed and premix analysis. 

This new cell feed production plant is expected to play a crucial role in advancing the commercial viability of cultivated proteins, further cementing Nutreco’s leadership in the food innovation space.

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