ENOUGH Opens World’s Largest Non-animal Protein Facility in the Netherlands
UK-based food tech company innovates towards the sustainable food transition
The UK-based food tech company ENOUGH (formerly 3F BIO) has opened its flagship protein facility in the Netherlands. The new factory is the largest non-animal protein farm in the world and will enable ENOUGH to contribute to the transition towards sustainable food systems.
With initial capacity to produce 10,000 tonnes (22 million pounds) per annum from Q4 2022, the 15,000 square metre (160,000 square feet) facility is co-located alongside the Cargill facility in Sas van Gent. The location and collaboration with Cargill ensures the most efficient feed source and supports the zero-waste objective of ENOUGH’s product.
Supporting a circular economy
ENOUGH’s plans to reach 60,000 tonnes of capacity by 2027, equivalent to growing one cow’s worth of protein every two minutes. This is wholly aligned with the development of the circular economy and the new facility has been supported by the circular Bio Based Europe Joint Undertaking CBE JU with receipt of €16.9 million of EU funding as part of project Plenitude1 which involves partners from the full value chain.
Collaborating with the Dutch on the future of food
ENOUGH’s vision is fully aligned with consumer’s desires to shift towards a more sustainable diet. As part of the Dutch agrifood ecosystem, ENOUGH’s new plant also supports the Dutch government’s National Protein Strategy for the future of food and its initiatives to cultivate alternative protein sources, including microbial proteins and cultured meat.
ENOUGH also contributes to green job creation in the region as it currently employs 30 people directly and many more in the supply chain, with significant expansion plans.
Jim Laird, CEO of ENOUGH said: ‘ENOUGH’s aim is to grow capacity for sustainable non-animal protein sources in line with needs of the market. There are multiple forecasts about the pace of potential market growth and at this time the constraint on growth is a supply chain challenge of providing high quality protein sources at scale that can make delicious foods.’
Andrew Beasley, Commercial Director of ENOUGH said: ‘As a B2B supplier of a nutritious whole food ingredient, we support food companies to produce not only delicious and sustainable foods, but healthy and nutritious too. This is fundamental to the continued growth of the sector, permitting the switch to non-animal proteins. The use of minimal processes and short ingredient lists will give confidence to businesses, retailers and consumers alike and is important to the further growth of the sector.’
Reducing environmental footprint
ENOUGH grows ABUNDA® mycoprotein by fermenting fungi using renewable feedstocks to make one of the most sustainable sources of food protein. The World Economic Forum quotes: ‘Fermentation presents an opportunity to fundamentally change the way the world eats and improve global human and environmental health and the economy.’
Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, CBE JU Executive Director said: ‘Plenitude’s plant demonstrates Europe’s leading role in supporting bio-based innovations in the world. The ABUNDA mycoprotein uses a zero-waste process to offer consumers a sustainable and affordable meat alternative, while taking pressure off ecosystems and natural resources.’
Franck Monmont, Managing Director for Cargill’s Starches, Sweeteners and Texturizers business in Europe added: ‘As global demand for protein continues to rise, this collaboration with ENOUGH serves as another avenue to help realize our mission of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. At Cargill, we are committed to bringing alternative and traditional protein source options to the table. We see ENOUGH’s mycoprotein as a valuable and sustainable alternative source of protein and are looking forward to our collaboration in the years to come.’
Source: ENOUGH
21 September 2022