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€1 million for sustainable egg substitute

EGGcellent develops a sustainable, vegan alternative to the chicken egg.

Published on April 14, 2025

EGGcellent

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The EGGcellent innovation project has been awarded a grant of €1 million. Vivici, Proeon and Applikon have joined forces with Planet B.io for this project. Together they are focusing on the development of a sustainable, vegan alternative to the chicken egg, with a specific focus on applications in the baking industry.

The subsidy has been granted through the Opportunities for the West III program, made possible in part by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

A solution for the egg industry

The need for alternatives to chicken egg protein is growing rapidly. Not only are we seeing a sharp rise in egg prices worldwide, but the supply chain is also susceptible to disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, animal diseases or societal concerns about the environment and animal welfare. At the same time, the protein transition – the shift from animal proteins to sustainable plant-based and microbial proteins – requires innovative solutions. EGGcellent is responding to this with a technology-driven approach that is both sustainable and economically attractive.

Industrial baking applications

Within the project, these ingredients are being further developed, combined and tested in a prototype that functions optimally as an egg substitute in industrial baking applications.

Support from the medical sector

The medical technology company Getinge is making an important contribution to the project with its expertise and Applikon's bioreactor systems. This enables the consortium to develop faster and more efficiently. At the same time, Getinge can test its technologies and products faster and bring them closer to market introduction.

Bioreactor to be opened up to other companies

The bioreactor that is being realized within the project will be partially opened up to other innovative SMEs in the region. This will give parties without access to expensive equipment the opportunity to develop and test their biotechnological innovations.

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