HAMBURG, GERMANY — MicroHarvest, a biotechnology company focused on the production of sustainable protein ingredients, announced it has joined Food Fermentation Europe (FFE), an industry alliance group for the food fermentation industry. MicroHarvest represents the first biomass fermentation player to join the group, leading the group’s expansion into biomass fermentation.

Currently FFE comprises of many pioneering precision fermentation companies. MicroHarvest’s inclusion further validates the acceptance of biomass-fermented ingredients and advances cooperation with other industry players in developing a more sustainable food system, according to FFE. 

“We are delighted to welcome MicroHarvest into our alliance as our first biomass fermentation member,” said Jevan Nagarajah, president of the FFE and chief executive officer of Better Dairy. “Leveraging their unique perspectives, we will continue to chart new frontiers for European food systems and pave the way for a more environmentally conscious future.”

Founded in 2021, MicroHarvest uses proprietary technology based on biomass fermentation methods to create sustainable, fermented proteins. The company specifically utilizes biomass fermentation, which uses high-protein content and rapid growth of microorganisms to efficiently produce highly scalable amounts of protein-rich foods, rather than standard precision fermentation, which “rewires” microorganisms to produce specific functional ingredients. 

“We’ve made some great progress alone but together with FFE we can make an ever-greater impact, we are thrilled to join the ranks,” said Katelijne Bekers, co-founder and chief executive officer of MicroHarvest. “We look forward to listening to different partners and exploring the full potential of fermentation-enabled solutions. By communicating and, most importantly, acting together, we can drive positive change in the food system. We believe the world will be eager to learn what food fermentation can do for it.”

Since its founding, MicroHarvest has raised €10 million (about $10.9 million USD) to date, launched a pilot plant in Lisbon and secured a manufacturing partner.

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