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While projections show increased conventional protein needs up to 2050 (+57% for meat), climate change necessitates exploring non-linear scenarios and the potential of alternative proteins in the global and EU protein balance. In this context, four sources of alternative proteins – algae, insects, microbial fermentation, and cultured meat – are assessed by comparing them to the conventional sources they may replace, in terms of their relative energy needs, environmental impacts, nutritional content, and their potential for being used as substitutes to conventional proteins in food and feed in the EU.
Total alternative proteins consumed in 2020 (including plant-based alternatives) were 13 million (M) metric tonnes, approximately 2% of the animal protein market. Alternative proteins are estimated to account for 11% of the global protein market for food up to 2035, with plant-based alternatives dominating in this period.
Estimates predicts that algae could potentially replace up to one-third of soybean meal in pig and poultry diets and insect meal could replace 10% of conventional protein in these diets.
The current level of R&D activity, technological and commercial readiness, and industrial capacity of the said alternatives in the EU is also examined.
The study explores regulatory and technical obstacles to and opportunities for development of alternative proteins in Europe. Common barriers include the need to optimise still-maturing technologies, expand processing and production capacity, reduce inputs and costs, address infrastructure limitations, and navigate complex regulations and legislative barriers.
Finally, the report identifies policy options to help scale up alternative protein development and production in the EU. Proposed interventions include targeted research funding to advance technologies and address knowledge gaps, industrial policy investments in infrastructure and processing facilities, incorporating environmental considerations into regulatory approval processes, and enhanced coordination across policies and stakeholders.
April 17, 2024/ European Parliament/ European Union.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu
