Protein Production Technology Podcast

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, Eshchar Ben Shitrit, CEO of Redefine Meat, shares his perspective on transforming the future of meat. He reflects on the company’s journey from bold vision to rapid growth, explaining how innovation, collaboration, and consumer engagement are driving progress across the alternative protein sector.

Eshchar emphasizes the importance of creating products that satisfy chefs, retailers, and diners alike – delivering on taste and experience while addressing the challenges of sustainability and scale. He also discusses the lessons learned from building momentum in a fast-moving industry, and how redefining meat is ultimately about more than technology – it’s about changing perceptions of what people choose to eat.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, Sebastian Rakers, co-founder and CEO of Bluu Seafood, shares his journey from marine biologist to cultivated seafood pioneer. He discusses the company’s mission to make high-quality fish proteins such as salmon and trout the new normal – and its exploration of premium products like cultivated caviar.

Sebastian highlights the mounting environmental pressures on global fisheries and explains how cell-cultivated seafood offers clear advantages in safety, nutrition, and localized production, with potential applications that extend beyond food. He also reflects on the path toward regulatory approval, the realities of scaling, and how cultivated seafood can help secure ocean-friendly protein for generations to come.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, Thijs Bosch, recently appointed CEO of The Protein Brewery, discusses the company’s milestone €30 million Series B funding round and its vision for the future of fungi-based proteins. He explains how his background in specialty proteins and scale-up ventures is helping drive commercialization and global expansion.

Thijs highlights the unique advantages of The Protein Brewery’s proprietary fungal strain, which enables efficient, lower-capex fermentation under non-sterile conditions – making scaling and partnerships more attainable. He shares progress from pilot to demonstration-scale production, details on regulatory pathways in the USA, Singapore, and Europe, and the importance of building both technical and commercial capabilities to support growth.

The conversation explores how the company’s ingredient delivers complete protein, fiber, and micronutrients in a neutral-tasting, odorless form suited for a wide range of applications. Thijs emphasizes that long-term success will depend on disciplined scaling, smart market entry, and balancing investor expectations with lasting impact across sustainable food systems.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, host Nick speaks with Chris Bryant, Executive Director of Bryant Research and Research Adviser for the Alternative Proteins Association in the UK. Together, they unpack evidence-based insights on alternative proteins and the broad benefits of reducing reliance on industrial animal agriculture – from environmental and ethical gains to public health improvements.

Chris addresses the growing impact of misinformation and industry influence on how consumers perceive food and nutrition, particularly the misuse of the term ultraprocessed. He notes that many plant-based alternatives actually offer lower calorie density, reduced saturated fat, higher fiber, and comparable protein quality to conventional meat – and that fortification can further enhance their nutritional value.

The conversation also explores the challenges of translating scientific evidence into effective policy, the importance of advocacy-driven research, and strategies for distinguishing independent science from industry-influenced narratives.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, host Nick speaks with Roderik Bronkhorst, Head of Corporate Venturing at Cosun. Roderik discusses the company’s Unlock 30 strategy – an ambitious plan to transform the long-established cooperative into a global leader in plant-based and sustainable food ingredients by 2030.

He explains how Cosun is balancing its deep agricultural heritage with a forward-looking approach to innovation, focusing on efficiency, diversification, and international collaboration. Roderik highlights the value of partnering with startups to accelerate progress in alternative proteins, sweeteners, and fibers, giving Cosun access to breakthrough technologies and new global opportunities.

He also offers insight into the company’s flexible investment model, which prioritizes strategic impact over purely financial returns, and stresses the importance of aligning corporate and startup goals to create meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships that drive sustainable innovation across the food technology landscape.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, Simo Ellilä, CEO of Enifer, discusses the company’s latest milestone — achieving self-affirmed GRAS status for its Pekilo mycoprotein in the USA. He explains how this regulatory step opens the door to early market entry and pilot partnerships while laying the groundwork for full FDA approval.

Simo highlights Pekilo’s distinctive shelf-stable format, its versatility across applications from dairy alternatives to breakfast cereals, and its neutral taste profile that helps solve one of the biggest challenges in plant proteins: off-flavors. He also underscores that consumer acceptance ultimately depends on two key factors – taste and price – and shares how Enifer’s heritage technology, sustainability-first mindset, and phased entry through the pet food market are shaping its long-term growth strategy.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, leading voices from science, startups, and established food companies explore how biomass-based food systems could help feed a resource-scarce future. The discussion delves into the potential of microalgae, fungi, and microbial fermentation to decouple food production from land, soil, and freshwater, enabling scalable, nutritious alternatives with a lower environmental footprint.

Speakers highlight the advantages of whole-cell ingredients, the promise of submerged fermentation as a resilient and versatile platform, and the technical hurdles still to be overcome – from taste and texture to cost and consumer appeal. The conversation also examines how perceptions of ultra-processing, regulatory frameworks, and investment landscapes are shaping the pace of innovation.

With insights spanning research, industry, and strategy, the panel emphasizes that microbial and biomass proteins are not just complementary to other approaches – they are essential building blocks for a more resilient and sustainable global food system.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, leading voices from across the alternative protein sector explore how functional plant proteins are powering the next wave of food innovation. The conversation examines the growing consumer demand for clean-label, sustainable products that still deliver on taste, texture, and nutrition – and what it takes to get there.

From sunflower to pulse proteins, the panel unpacks the science and strategy behind formulating plant-based alternatives that can truly stand shoulder to shoulder with dairy and meat. They discuss the critical role of functionality, processing, and ingredient synergies in enhancing mouthfeel, masking off-flavors, and ensuring product stability without compromise.

The experts also highlight how advances in fermentation, formulation, and complementary ingredients such as fibers and pectins are enabling the creation of more indulgent, consumer-ready foods. Throughout the discussion, one message rings clear: collaboration across the value chain is essential to building a resilient, future-proof protein ecosystem.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, host Nick speaks with Vincent Krudde, Head of the Alternative Protein Program at Nutreco, about how a company deeply rooted in animal nutrition is helping accelerate the global shift toward sustainable protein production – from plant-based to cultivated and beyond.

Vincent unpacks the scale and urgency of the protein challenge, where demand is projected to outpace population growth, and emphasizes the need for regionally diverse, complementary solutions. He discusses the major hurdles facing cultivated proteins – from technological and regulatory barriers to cost and consumer acceptance – and explains how Nutreco’s decades of expertise in feed formulation and large-scale production are being applied to deliver affordable, food-grade cell culture media.

By combining scientific insight with industrial know-how, Nutreco aims to bridge the gap between promise and production, driving forward its mission to feed the future sustainably.

In this episode of the PPTI Podcast, industry experts delve into how next-generation downstream processing is reshaping the scalability, efficiency, and sustainability of alternative protein production. What was once a purely technical stage – purification, separation, and drying – has become a strategic lever that defines commercial success.

Speakers from leading organizations share how innovations in membrane filtration, resin-based purification, and process optimization are boosting yields, enhancing ingredient functionality, and cutting environmental impact. From improving taste and texture to reducing water and energy use, the panel explores how smarter downstream design is closing the gap between pilot-scale promise and profitable large-scale operations – paving the way for more sustainable and affordable protein ingredients worldwide.