Project description
Scaling up single-cell protein production for food applications
Increasing water scarcity, growing food sector concerns, and accelerating climate change are becoming increasingly dangerous to people worldwide, underscoring the need for alternative, sustainably sourced food solutions. The EU-funded PROSCALE project is developing an innovative solution to increase the availability of sustainably sourced, nutritionally rich alternative proteins, which are key to a variety of food applications, by scaling up single-cell protein (SCP) production for food use. To achieve this, it will advance the TRL of three continuous biomass fermentation processes that yield multipurpose SCP ingredients, introduce key processing concepts to enhance the functionality and safety of a diverse array of food applications, and develop a digital twin platform for real-time monitoring and optimisation.
Objective
PROSCALE aims to increase the availability of sustainably sourced, nutritional alternative proteins by scaling up the production of single-cell proteins (SCP) for food use. The project advances the TRL from 5 to 7 in three continuous biomass fermentation processes which yield three multipurpose SCP ingredients (≥50% protein); mycoprotein, bacterial SCP, and yeast SCP. The processes also include innovative downstream processing concepts to ensure not only safety but also functionality in diverse food applications. PROSCALE also focuses on design of 2nd generation fermentation substrates derived from food industry side-streams. By integrating a cutting-edge Digital Twin platform, PROSCALE enables real-time process optimization, resource efficiency, and sustainability assessment across the value chain from cradle to grave.
The consortium of 16 partners from academia, industry, and non-profits applies a multi-actor approach to co-create solutions supporting SCP market uptake, to engage stakeholders, and to foster societal acceptance. PROSCALE targets significant reductions in production costs (15–30%), climate change impact (≥40%), and waste generation, while demonstrating at least in 5 innovative food prototypes and circular valorisation of 4 fermentation co-products. The project addresses key challenges in scalability, cost, regulatory compliance, and consumer acceptance, supporting the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Protein Strategy, Farm to Fork, and the Circular Economy Action Plan.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration, PROSCALE will deliver high-quality, safe, and appealing SCP ingredients for diverse food applications, enhance circularity, and strengthen Europe’s resilience and competitiveness in sustainable protein production. The outcomes will accelerate the shift towards healthier, climate-friendly diets and a more robust, circular bioeconomy
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- social sciences economics and business economics bioeconomy
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences climatology climatic changes
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.6 - Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.6.6 - Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
02150 Espoo
Finland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.