Why Protein Port?

The urgency to adopt sustainable protein alternatives has reached a critical stage. Our global food industry, ranking as the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions after the energy sector, is causing significant harm to our environment. Startling figures indicate that nearly half of this sector's environmental impact is attributed to animal farming. Surprisingly, despite this awareness, the consumption of animal-based proteins continues to rise worldwide.

This challenge demands immediate action, as it goes beyond mere choice — it's an imperative. With the world's population steadily increasing, the demand for protein that is both sufficient and environmentally friendly is now a top priority. This entails a radical shift from reliance on animal-based proteins towards embracing the vast potential of plant-based and alternative sources. Termed the 'protein transition,' this movement has triggered a surge in global efforts, spanning research, development, entrepreneurship, and substantial investments.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the European Commission is on the verge of implementing a comprehensive EU Protein Strategy. A key component of this strategy is diversifying protein sources for both food and feed, strategically addressing the protein deficit within the EU. Promising sources like microbial, insect, and seaweed proteins hold the potential to drive this transformation.

The Netherlands stands at the forefront of this protein transition movement. This shift is evident not only in the private sector but also within the public sphere. In 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture unveiled a comprehensive national protein strategy, urging action to make animal farming sustainable while also investing in non-animal-based protein alternatives. Recently, the Dutch government allocated an impressive €60 million to catalyze a national consortium focused on advancing Cellular Agriculture. This pioneering approach involves producing animal products directly from cells, bypassing traditional livestock reliance. Notably, this funding is the largest of its kind globally in the field of cellular agriculture, encompassing education, research, and scaling up.