French dairy company Danone, materials group Michelin, US startup DMC Biotechnologies, and Crédit Agricole Centre France have teamed up to launch Biotech Open Platform, a precision fermentation center. Several public and private institutions have invested EUR 16 million for its first phase.

This new platform in Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne will focus on advancing precision fermentation technology, which can provide sustainable alternatives to animal and fossil-based products. It intends to develop and scale up innovative bioproducts and expects to have its first demo-scale production line operational by 2025.

Analyst QuickTake: Incumbents in the novel foods space have been actively developing facilities to enhance and scale sustainable production technologies. Notable initiatives include Bühler Group ’s innovation hub for sustainable foods development, GEA ’s US alternative protein research center, and the unveiling of the MISTA innovation center.