MYcelium-based COmplete Protein STRUCTures for Whole-Cut Scale-Up

Objective

Europe faces urgent challenges in securing sustainable, nutritious protein sources. A reliance on meat and imported soy drives high greenhouse gas emissions, land use change, biodiversity loss, and health risks. Plant-based and other novel protein alternatives are growing, but face limitations in texture, nutrition, and consumer acceptance particularly in delivering authentic whole-cut formats like steaks and fillets, which dominate conventional meat consumption but remain scarce among alternatives. MycoStruct addresses this gap by scaling up an innovative fermentation platform that produces structured mycelium proteins with natural meat-like texture, superior nutrition, and clean-label simplicity. The process grows semi-solid mycelial structures directly within fermentation vessels, eliminating the need for heavy processing, binders, or additives. The result is a fibrous, steak-like product with >50% high-quality protein, full amino acid profile, and bio-fortified iron and vitamin B12 levels equivalent to beef, while being cholesterol-free, low in saturated fat, and rich in dietary fibre. The project will scale production tenfold, from pilot to a 5 kL demonstration facility. It will integrate sustainable feedstocks from agricultural and food industry side streams, reducing costs and environmental impacts. Advanced modelling will support scale-up towards 1 kL industrial systems, enabling rapid replication across Europe. By combining cutting-edge biotechnology with circular economy principles, MycoStruct will deliver sustainable proteins with up to 93% lower greenhouse gas emissions and 99% reductions in land and water use compared to beef. Consumer co-design, sensory testing, and chef-led demonstrations will ensure high acceptance, positioning structured mycelium as a mainstream protein option. The project contributes directly to the EU Bioeconomy, Farm-to-Fork, and Food 2030 strategies, strengthening Europe’s resilience, food security, and sustainability.