Protein Production Technology Podcast

FPG Media

Helping the industry understand how it will revolutionize modern protein production and help build a healthier, more efficient, and sustainable global protein system

  1. 4d ago

    Dr Shannon Falconer, BioCraft Pet Nutrition | Can Cell-Cultured Meat Win Over Cats?

    Can cell-cultured meat deliver the taste and appeal that cats expect from their favourite treats? BioCraft Pet Nutrition has put its cultured mouse ingredient to the test against an established cat treat brand, with results that offer an important milestone for the company. In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International Podcast, Nick Bradley speaks with Dr Shannon Falconer, Founder and CEO of BioCraft Pet Nutrition, about the development of its cell-cultured cat treat and the scientific work behind its recent palatability trial. In an independent in-home study involving 40 cats, BioCraft’s treat achieved comparable acceptance to an Applaws chicken-flavoured lickable treat, with no statistically significant preference between the two products. Shannon explains why the first palatability trials fell short, how the team refined the product, and why smell, texture, initial taste and aftertaste all matter when developing food for cats. She also discusses BioCraft’s shift from harvesting only biomass to collecting the biomass alongside nutrients and other small molecules produced by the cells, and how processing and shelf-life requirements affect the final product. The conversation explores how BioCraft uses AI to accelerate formulation development by combining ingredient data, metabolomics analysis and observations of cat behaviour. Shannon also explains why the company developed a finished lickable treat rather than simply supplying its cultured ingredient, helping potential pet food partners move more directly towards commercialisation. Finally, Shannon discusses the importance of ethical, in-home palatability testing, the commercial opportunities for cell-cultured ingredients in pet food, and why BioCraft believes its cat treat is ready for market. The Future of Protein Production is connecting companies working to make the global protein system more sustainable, kind and fair for the planet, people, and animals. To find out more about our platform click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ To read the most recent edition of Protein Production Technology, our multi-media magazine, click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ #BioCraftPetNutrition #CellCulturedMeat #CultivatedMeat #PetFoodInnovation #AlternativeProteins #FoodTech #ProteinProductionTechnology

    Dr Shannon Falconer, BioCraft Pet Nutrition | Can Cell-Cultured Meat Win Over Cats?
  2. 6d ago

    Dr. Valerie Stahl, Thermo Fisher Scientific | Improving the Future of Alternative Proteins

    Powered by Protein Production Technology International In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International Podcast, we speak with Dr. Valerie Stahl, Food Extrusion Technology Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, about the science behind developing better alternative protein products. Dr. Stahl discusses how advanced material characterization and analytical techniques are helping food manufacturers better understand ingredient functionality, optimize extrusion processes, and improve the texture, structure, and overall quality of plant-based foods. She also shares insights into how data-driven product development can reduce trial and error, accelerate innovation, and support the growing alternative protein industry. Whether you're working in food technology, extrusion, ingredient development, or sustainable protein, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the scientific tools shaping the future of food innovation. The Future of Protein Production is connecting companies working to make the global protein system more sustainable, kind and fair for the planet, people, and animals. To find out more about our platform click here:https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ To read the most recent edition of Protein Production Technology, our multi-media magazine, click here:https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ #FutureOfProteinProduction #ProteinProductionTechnology #ThermoFisherScientific #ValerieStahl #AlternativeProtein #FoodTech #PlantBased #FoodInnovation #Extrusion #MaterialScience #SustainableFood

    Dr. Valerie Stahl, Thermo Fisher Scientific | Improving the Future of Alternative Proteins
  3. 6d ago

    EP 48: Alternative Fats & Future Technologies Unlocking Performance, Resilience & Scale

    What role will fats play in the future of alternative protein and food production? From improving taste and texture to strengthening supply chains and enabling new formulations, this webinar explores how both existing and emerging fat technologies could shape the next generation of food products. In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International Webinar series, Nick Bradley brings together experts from AAK, Savor, the Good Food Institute, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst to examine the evolving landscape of alternative fats. The panel explores how fats contribute to creaminess, juiciness, melting behaviour, flavour release, mouthfeel, processing performance and nutrition — and why developing successful alternative protein products requires much more than simply getting the protein component right. The discussion also looks at emerging technologies including precision fermentation, cultivated fat, fat structuring and Savor's approach to producing fats from carbon. The speakers discuss how these technologies could complement existing oils and fats, improve supply chain resilience, reduce reliance on agricultural inputs, and potentially provide more stable and scalable sources of fat. With supply volatility, climate change, geopolitical disruption and sustainability increasingly influencing food production, the panel considers what manufacturers actually need from future fat solutions — including functionality, affordability, scalability and consumer acceptance. The webinar concludes with a look at where the industry could be heading over the next five to ten years, with the panel suggesting that the future is likely to involve a combination of existing oils and fats with emerging technologies, creating hybrid and complementary solutions rather than one single replacement technology. Featuring: Ronald van der Knap — AAKKim Oliphant — AAKFrancisco Ardevalo — AAKKiara Kachini — SavorAdam Leman — Good Food InstituteLutz Grossmann — University of Massachusetts AmherstThe Future of Protein Production is connecting companies working to make the global protein system more sustainable, kind and fair for the planet, people, and animals. To find out more about our platform click here:https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ To read the most recent edition of Protein Production Technology, our multi-media magazine, click here:https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ #AlternativeFats #FoodTech #AlternativeProtein #FoodInnovation #PrecisionFermentation #FutureOfProtein #ProteinProductionTechnology

    EP 48: Alternative Fats & Future Technologies Unlocking Performance, Resilience & Scale
  4. 6d ago

    Ep 46: The Reality of Scaling Novel Lipids for Infant Nutrition & Beyond In Partnership with Checkerspot

    Powered by Protein Production Technology International Scaling novel lipids from promising science to commercial production brings a unique set of challenges. In infant nutrition, where safety, purity, consistency, and clinical evidence are essential, the journey from innovation to a market-ready ingredient demands more than breakthrough biology. In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International Podcast, Nick Bradley is joined by Alex, Ernesto, and Casey from Checkerspot and the wider biotechnology industry to explore the realities of commercializing novel lipids for infant nutrition and beyond. Using the story of fermentation-derived DHA as a starting point, the panel reflects on what it takes to bring a novel ingredient into widespread use. The discussion covers the challenges that can be less visible in success stories: scale-up difficulties, expensive early production batches, regulatory work, finding customers, achieving viable production economics, and building the capacity to supply them consistently. The speakers examine how advances in precision fermentation, synthetic biology, and AI-enabled design-build-test cycles are changing what is possible. They also discuss the enduring challenges of industrial biotechnology, including the gap between laboratory performance and manufacturing robustness, and why strains and processes must be designed with commercial production in mind. For infant nutrition, the conversation highlights the importance of demonstrating that fermentation-derived ingredients are structurally equivalent, safe, and consistently produced to the required standards of purity and quality. Data and clinical evidence remain central to customer confidence and adoption. The panel also looks ahead to the potential for designing lipids around specific nutritional and functional needs, including innovations such as high-sn-2-palmitate OPO. Beyond infant formula, novel lipids may have applications across food, nutrition, personal care, and other markets. A central theme throughout the discussion is the need to balance technological possibility with market demand. Successful commercialization starts with a real customer need, a clear understanding of ingredient economics, and a technical approach capable of meeting both. The Future of Protein Production is connecting companies working to make the global protein system more sustainable, kind and fair for the planet, people, and animals. To find out more about our platform click here:https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ To read the most recent edition of Protein Production Technology, our multi-media magazine, click here:https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ #FutureOfProteinProduction #ProteinProductionTechnology #Checkerspot #NovelLipids #InfantNutrition #PrecisionFermentation #IndustrialBiotechnology #DHA #OPO #Biomanufacturing #AlternativeProteins #FoodTech #FoodInnovation

    Ep 46: The Reality of Scaling Novel Lipids for Infant Nutrition & Beyond In Partnership with Checkerspot
  5. 6d ago

    Ep 45: From Pilot Plant to Profitable Production: What It Takes to Win in Industrial Biotechnology In Partnership with Bühler

    Powered by Protein Production Technology International Moving from pilot-scale success to profitable industrial production remains one of the biggest challenges in industrial biotechnology. A process that works in the lab may encounter very different realities at commercial scale, from oxygen transfer and energy use to downstream processing, production costs, and reliable supply. In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International Podcast, Nick Bradley is joined by experts from Bühler, Pular Group, Vivace, Pow.Bio, ADM, and Fermentalg to explore what it takes to turn promising biotechnologies into commercially viable businesses. The discussion examines why proving that a product can be made is only the beginning. The real challenge is producing it reliably, competitively, and at a cost customers are willing to pay. The panel explores the gap between technical feasibility and commercial success, including the importance of manufacturing strategy, infrastructure, production economics, and knowing where continued investment can make a difference. Bühler shares its perspective on connecting biology with a complete production system, helping companies address the engineering and operational challenges that emerge during scale-up. The conversation also highlights the importance of designing processes with commercial production in mind, rather than treating industrialization as a problem to solve only after success in the lab or pilot plant. The panel considers the role of customer demand, reliable supply chains, and partnerships in building a viable industrial biotechnology sector. From bio-based ingredients and precision fermentation to proteins, oils, and fats, speakers discuss the opportunities emerging as biological production moves toward larger-scale applications. The conversation also explores why the industry’s next phase will depend on more than scientific breakthroughs. Commercial discipline, scalable technology, and the ability to deliver value for customers will be essential to turning industrial biotechnology’s potential into profitable production. The Future of Protein Production is connecting companies working to make the global protein system more sustainable, kind and fair for the planet, people, and animals. To find out more about our platform click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ To read the most recent edition of Protein Production Technology, our multi-media magazine, click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ #FutureOfProteinProduction #ProteinProductionTechnology #Buhler #IndustrialBiotechnology #ScaleUp #PrecisionFermentation #Biomanufacturing #AlternativeProteins #BioBased #FoodTech #Biotechnology #Fermentation #FoodInnovation

    Ep 45: From Pilot Plant to Profitable Production: What It Takes to Win in Industrial Biotechnology In Partnership with Bühler
  6. 6d ago

    Ep 47: You Can’t Scale What You Can’t Measure Fixing the Blind Spots in Precision Fermentation

    Powered by Protein Production Technology International As precision fermentation moves from the laboratory into commercial manufacturing, the ability to measure, interpret, and control a process becomes increasingly important. Conditions that are relatively easy to monitor in a small bioreactor can become far more complex at industrial scale, where variability, changing cell behavior, and process limitations can affect yield, consistency, and cost. In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International Webinar, hosted by Alex Crisp and presented in partnership with Hamilton Process Analytics, five experts explore the measurement and process-control challenges shaping the future of precision fermentation. The panel brings together perspectives from sensor technology, AI-powered bioreactor control, commercial fermentation, ingredient development, and manufacturing scale-up. They discuss what companies need to measure as they move from R&D to production, how to make better use of existing process data, and where conventional monitoring approaches can leave important blind spots. The conversation examines the role of sensors, off-gas analysis, modelling, and AI in understanding what is happening inside a bioreactor. As processes scale, conditions become less homogeneous, and measurements taken at one point may not tell the whole story. The speakers explore how predictive models and adaptive process control could help manufacturers better understand cell states, anticipate problems, and make more informed decisions. Beyond measurement itself, the discussion looks at the relationship between strain development, process optimization, and manufacturing performance. The panel considers continuous fermentation, downstream processing, and the challenges of transferring a carefully developed process into a different production environment. The experts also explore the commercial realities of scale-up: achieving consistent product quality, improving yields, managing production costs, and selecting manufacturing partners. Better measurement and control are valuable not simply for the data they provide, but for their ability to help companies produce the right product reliably and economically. From identifying critical process parameters to making smarter use of AI and sensor data, this webinar examines how closing measurement gaps can help precision fermentation move toward more predictable, scalable, and commercially viable production. The Future of Protein Production is connecting companies working to make the global protein system more sustainable, kind and fair for the planet, people, and animals. To find out more about our platform click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ To read the most recent edition of Protein Production Technology, our multi-media magazine, click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ #FutureOfProteinProduction #ProteinProductionTechnology #HamiltonProcessAnalytics #PrecisionFermentation #Bioprocessing #ProcessAnalytics #Fermentation #Biomanufacturing #AI #ProcessControl #ScaleUp #AlternativeProteins #FoodTech #IndustrialBiotechnology

    Ep 47: You Can’t Scale What You Can’t Measure Fixing the Blind Spots in Precision Fermentation
  7. Oct 1

    Ep 44: Becoming the Go-To Lab for Novel Foods: A Guide for Contract Testing Labs & Manufacturers In Partnership With Merck Life Science

    Powered by Protein Production Technology International As novel foods move closer to commercialization, analytical testing, validation, and regulatory readiness are becoming increasingly important to the alternative protein industry. From cultivated meat and precision fermentation to biomass and next-generation plant proteins, manufacturers need testing partners who understand the complexity of these emerging products. In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International Podcast, Nick Bradley is joined by experts from Merck Life Science and across the novel foods testing ecosystem to explore what it takes for contract testing laboratories to become trusted partners for novel food manufacturers. The discussion examines the challenges of finding the right laboratory for alternative protein development, including the limitations of conventional testing methods when applied to novel ingredients and complex product matrices. The panel explores why manufacturers need more than a standard test report, highlighting the value of collaboration, method development, validation expertise, and tailored testing workflows. Regulatory strategy is another key focus. The speakers discuss why regulatory considerations should be addressed from the earliest stages of product development, rather than treated as a final hurdle before market entry. They explore the importance of understanding regional requirements, defining the right testing scope, preparing robust data packages, and aligning product development with regulatory expectations. The conversation also covers the technical and operational challenges facing novel food manufacturers, including analytical bottlenecks, toxicology, product characterization, and the need for specialized testing approaches. Real-world examples illustrate how conventional methods may not work for new food matrices, making method development and validation essential. For contract testing laboratories, the opportunity lies in becoming more than service providers. By building collaborative relationships with manufacturers, developing expertise in novel food applications, and supporting regulatory readiness, labs can play a critical role in helping innovative products progress from development to commercialization. The Future of Protein Production is connecting companies working to make the global protein system more sustainable, kind and fair for the planet, people, and animals. To find out more about our platform click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ To read the most recent edition of Protein Production Technology, our multi-media magazine, click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ #FutureOfProteinProduction #ProteinProductionTechnology #Merck #MerckLifeScience #NovelFoods #AlternativeProteins #AnalyticalTesting #FoodSafety #RegulatoryCompliance #ContractTesting #CultivatedMeat #PrecisionFermentation #FoodTech #FoodInnovation

    Ep 44: Becoming the Go-To Lab for Novel Foods: A Guide for Contract Testing Labs & Manufacturers In Partnership With Merck Life Science
  8. Sep 30

    Ep 43: The Protein Shift Goes Mainstream: Innovation & Formulation Strategies for Active Lifestyle Nutrition In Partnership With Biospringer by Lesaffre

    Powered by Protein Production Technology International Protein is no longer reserved for athletes, bodybuilders, and sports nutrition enthusiasts. From everyday snacks and beverages to bakery, dairy, and healthy-aging products, protein is becoming a mainstream part of how consumers think about food and nutrition. But as demand grows, so do expectations around taste, texture, convenience, affordability, and nutritional value. In this episode of the Protein Production Technology International Podcast, Nick Bradley is joined by Jatin Sharma, Global Head of Strategic Marketing at Biospringer by Lesaffre, alongside experts from Myprotein, Danone, and the Good Food Institute, to explore how the protein shift is reshaping active lifestyle nutrition and what it means for the next generation of food and beverage products. The discussion examines the changing consumer landscape, from everyday active consumers seeking wellness, convenience, and balanced nutrition to performance-focused consumers prioritizing protein quality, recovery, and muscle growth. The panel explores how protein is moving beyond traditional powders and supplements into formats such as bars, ready-to-drink beverages, yogurts, cereals, and snacks, creating new opportunities for brands and ingredient suppliers. The speakers also discuss the formulation challenges that come with this expansion. While adding protein may be relatively straightforward, delivering products that consumers genuinely enjoy is far more complex. Topics include taste and texture, digestibility, clean-label expectations, ingredient functionality, shelf life, cost pressures, and the challenge of maintaining product quality without pricing consumers out of the market. The conversation also explores the evolving protein ingredient landscape, including traditional and plant-based proteins, as well as emerging fermentation-derived solutions. The panel considers how different protein sources can help address nutritional, sensory, and sustainability needs, and why successful formulation depends on finding the right ingredient for each application. As protein becomes an increasingly familiar feature of everyday food, the discussion highlights a key challenge for the industry: moving beyond protein content alone to create products that deliver on nutrition, functionality, taste, and the overall consumer experience. The Future of Protein Production is connecting companies working to make the global protein system more sustainable, kind and fair for the planet, people, and animals. To find out more about our platform click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ To read the most recent edition of Protein Production Technology, our multi-media magazine, click here: https://www.futureofproteinproduction.com/ #FutureOfProteinProduction #ProteinProductionTechnology #Biospringer #Lesaffre #ActiveLifestyleNutrition #ProteinInnovation #ProteinFormulation #AlternativeProtein #FoodTech #FoodInnovation #SportsNutrition #Fermentation #FutureOfFood

    Ep 43: The Protein Shift Goes Mainstream: Innovation & Formulation Strategies for Active Lifestyle Nutrition In Partnership With Biospringer by Lesaffre

About

Helping the industry understand how it will revolutionize modern protein production and help build a healthier, more efficient, and sustainable global protein system

You Might Also Like