Catalonia Makes Historic €7M Investment in Alt Proteins Research Center

Catalonia's Department of Climate Action, Food, and Rural Agenda, along with the Institute of Agri-Food Research and Technology (IRTA), have announced the establishment of Spain's first Center for Innovation in Alternative Proteins (CiPA). With a significant €7 million investment, CiPA aims to become a leading research and innovation hub in southern Europe, focusing on developing alternatives to animal proteins in food and feed.

The center will offer a comprehensive approach, covering the entire value chain from raw material production to consumer integration. It will focus on driving advancements in biomass production, plant protein extraction, ingredient functionalization, safety evaluation, and alternative food prototypes. The aim is to help companies scale up the production of plant-based meat and fermentation-derived foods to meet consumer demand for sustainable and tasty alternatives to traditional animal products. This investment is expected to boost green growth in the Catalan industry, create jobs, and contribute to the development of a vibrant sector capable of producing affordable and delicious alternative proteins for the growing market.