Demand for proteins is increasing for food and feed applications. To meet the increasing demand, production will have to double by 2050. However, current protein production, both animal- and vegetal based, has severe negative environmental impacts in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land and water use, as well as biodiversity loss. The EU is not self-sufficient when it comes to protein production and a large proportion of the demand is met with imported proteins with concerns regarding food security and the general competitiveness of the EU. It is therefore of vital importance to find sustainable alternative protein sources that can be economically produced in quantities that meet growing food and feed sectors. NextGenProteins has identified microalgae, single cell protein and insects as three promising sources of alternative proteins that can be produced through innovative and environmentally sustainable bioconversion processes using industrial waste streams. These processes cause limited environmental impacts and pressure on natural resources. Through collaboration between industry and RTD, the project will address key barriers that currently prohibit or limit the application of the three alternative proteins in food and feed, such as production scalability and optimisation, production costs, value chain risks, safety, regulations and consumer trust and acceptance. The project will demonstrate the suitability and economic viability of the alternative proteins in food and feed value chains and explore their market opportunities with the industry, stakeholders, policy makers and consumers. NextGenProteins will find means to improve the acceptability and trust of consumers towards alternative proteins and processes. The project will contribute to strengthening food security, sustainability and self-sufficiency of EU protein production with future-proof supply, as well as long-term reduction of land use, water use, GHG emissions and energy of EU food sector.

Aquaculture provides more than half of the world's seafood protein, but it faces challenges such as water demand and eutrophication, biosecurity or dependence on fishmeal/oil. Therefore, novel systems with low environmental impact are required to meet these challenges. Biofloc technology (BFT) is a novel aquaculture system that can recycle the C and N waste into valuable biomass suitable to be used on-site as a nourishing food source, reducing the need for aquafeeds and enhancing animal immune system. The N conversion into microbial fraction allows minimal water exchange, reducing water requirements. Moreover, BFT ensures biosecurity due to the absence of communication among tanks. However, BFT is still a relatively new technology, and needs to be better understood, mainly under intensive conditions. Besides, BFT is a complex multidisciplinary system, and the lack of qualified professionals is the main barrier to its implementation in Europe. SwitchFloc will face BFT challenges through an interdisciplinary and intersectoral research and training programme, including international secondments and a series of network-wide training events. SwitchFloc will focus both on species well adapted to BFT and species new to BFT and will improve aquafeed formulation and manufacturing, as well as animal health by promoting beneficial microorganisms into biofloc. Additionally, BFT sustainability and financial viability will be enhanced by the combination with IMTA and hydroponic systems (FlocPonics), analysis of carbon footprint, search of potential market opportunities and food quality assessments. SwitchFloc will train outstanding researchers in sustainable and intensive aquaculture production and will have deep technological impact in aquaculture by providing a new generation of BFT supporting technologies. In addition, SwitchFloc will impact economy and the environment by reducing artificial feed and water exchange, culminating in the production of fresh zero-km product.