Scaling up new production processes in time is crucial for successful innovation and bringing novel food products to market. Shared facilities play a key role in this transition, offering both specialized infrastructure and access to expertise for innovative companies. However, developing sustainable business models for these facilities remains a significant challenge, often requiring support from public funding.

In the Netherlands, much of this funding comes from regional development agencies (ROMs) and provincial programs. Yet, with limits on the size and duration of these funds, it is essential to start looking ahead and plan for long-term sustainability.

To address this, Protein Port hosted a roundtable on shared facilities, bringing together key players including Invest-NL, Plant One Delft, Bodec, BBEU, CAS, BFF, and NIZO. The session created space for open dialogue on both opportunities and bottlenecks within the protein and food innovation sector.

By fostering collaboration and exchanging insights, the roundtable aimed to unlock more efficient use of infrastructure, explore new financing models, and ultimately accelerate innovation across the region.