Industry

CAN helps organizations in the cellular agriculture sector accelerate their growth and impact. We do this in a practical, results-oriented manner—operating from the Netherlands but with an international perspective.

We connect companies with relevant partners, scale-up facilities, investors, and knowledge institutions. In addition, we provide advice on potential collaborations within the ecosystem, commercial opportunities, and international expansion. We also offer guidance on organizing pre-approval tastings.

Scale-up facilities Support and partners Tastings

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About scale-up facilities

The transition from R&D to commercial production represents the greatest technical and financial challenge for cellular agriculture.

As open-access pilot facilities are scarce worldwide, CAN has invested in cell culture and fermentation facilities. Through these, we help pioneers cross the so-called “valley of death,” accelerate efficient scale-up, and strengthen the Netherlands’ position as a leading international CA hub.

Scale-up

The technological foundations for cellular agriculture are already firmly in place. The next step is scaling up these innovations to commercial production levels. Factors such as investment in specialized equipment and expertise in large-scale processes play a key role in this regard.

Scale-up facilities in the Netherlands can play a crucial role here. They provide start-ups and scale-ups with access to the knowledge, infrastructure, and support needed to successfully navigate the critical scale-up phase (TRL 5–8). This support enables the further development of cellular agriculture innovations and their successful market launch.

Open access to knowledge and infrastructure

The facilities available in the Netherlands operate on an open-access model. This means that relevant organizations can utilize both the infrastructure and the available expertise. This shared approach distributes investments in equipment and materials (CAPEX) across multiple users, making it possible to bring new production lines and additional innovations to market more quickly and widely. In doing so, these scale-up facilities not only strengthen individual companies but also contribute to scaling up the entire sector.

Cultivate at Scale

Cultivate at Scale (CaS) is an independent, open-access scale-up facility for cell-culture bioprocesses in Maastricht, established with support from the National Growth Fund and in close collaboration with Mosa Meat.

The facility supports companies in the development and scale-up of cell-based production processes. In addition to access to high-quality infrastructure, CaS offers support for media purchasing, quality control and regulatory issues. This way, companies can take the step from R&D to large-scale production.

More information can be found on www.cultivateatscale.com.
Contact: Jaco van der Merwe, Managing Director
E: jaco@cultivateatscale.com

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Biotechnology Fermentation Factory

The Biotechnology Fermentation Factory (BFF) in Ede is a leading open-access innovation center for precision fermentation.

The facility features food-grade pilot plants and advanced laboratories that enable companies to optimize and scale up their fermentation processes. BFF is located at NIZO’s Food Innovation Campus and works closely with partners within the cellular agriculture ecosystem. This collaboration facilitates comprehensive support regarding complementary processes, expertise, and scale-up challenges.

More information can be found on www.bff-ede.com.
Contact: Marcel Oogink, Managing Director
E : marcel.oogink@bff-ede.com
T: +31 318 659511

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Ondersteuning en partners

CAN helpt start- en scale-ups, gevestigde bedrijven, investeerders en publieke partijen om hun groei, innovatie en impact te versnellen.

We doen dit op een praktische manier, zowel met hands-on ondersteuning als het vormgeven van strategische partnerships.

1. Ondersteuning

Partner- en netwerkverbindingen: toegang tot een groeiend ecosysteem van bedrijven, kennisinstellingen en opschalingsfaciliteiten.
Toegang tot opschalingsfaciliteiten: begeleiding bij het benutten van open-access scale-up faciliteiten in Nederland.
Advies en projectondersteuning: strategische begeleiding bij samenwerking, innovatieprojecten en internationale groei.
Evenementen en kennisdeling: deelname aan CAN-events, workshops en proeverijen om kennis en innovatie te versnellen.

2. Partnerships

Wil je als organisatie structureel bijdragen aan de toekomst van cellulaire agricultuur en de sector duurzaam vormgeven? Word strategisch partner van CAN. Samen bouwen we aan een robuust ecosysteem, versnellen we wet- en regelgeving, jagen we innovatie aan en versterken we het internationale vestigingsklimaat in Nederland.

Samenwerken op strategisch niveau?
Ontdek hoe we de krachten kunnen bundelen en neem contact op met Tom van Duijn voor een vrijblijvend gesprek via het contactformulier of via +316 39327048.

Tastings in The Netherlands

Since 2022, cultured meat tastings have been allowed in the Netherlands under certain conditions.

In 2023, this was extended to products based on innovative fermentation. Separate Codes of Practice (CoPs) were drawn up for this purpose, enabling the organization of controlled tastings prior to formal EU authorization.

The Netherlands is making history as the first EU country to allow the tasting of cultivated meat and innovative fermentation products prior to official market authorization. These pre-approval tastings, conducted under controlled conditions, represent a crucial breakthrough: developers gain immediate, invaluable sensory feedback to perfect taste, texture, and quality, while chefs, policymakers, and consumers can experience the future of food at an early stage. This unique framework not only accelerates product innovation but also strengthens the Netherlands’ position as the leading pioneer and innovation hub for cellular agriculture in Europe.

Products based on animal cell culture and innovative fermentation generally fall under European Novel Food legislation. The Dutch Codes of Practice provide a temporary and strict framework within which tastings can take place, subject to pre-established safety and assessment criteria.

Tastings cultivated meat and seafood

The first pilot projects for tasting cultured meat and cultured fish in the Netherlands were concluded on January 26, 2026.

Upcoming tastings

Further information regarding a potential follow-up scheme will follow. Producers must submit a comprehensive dossier containing, among other things, a description of the production process, product composition, microbiological and toxicological risk analyses, and the protocol for the intended tasting event. CAN facilitates the assessment by an independent Expert Committee with expertise in toxicology, microbiology, medicine, and ethics. Subject to a unanimous positive recommendation, authorization may be granted to organize up to ten tasting events—with a maximum of thirty pre-selected participants per session—in accordance with the established conditions.

For more information on submission requirements and scheduling, please contact us via our contact form. Keep an eye on our website for future calls for applications and tasting events.

Further information on the process can be found in the *Code of Practice: Safely Conducting Tastings of Cultivated Foods Prior to EU Approval*.

Tastings innovative fermentation

Applications for tastings of innovative fermentation products can currently be submitted.

Conditions

Producers must submit a comprehensive dossier containing, among other things, a description of the production process, product composition, microbiological and toxicological risk analysis, and the protocol for the intended tasting event.

CAN facilitates the assessment by an independent Expert Committee with expertise in toxicology, microbiology, medicine, and ethics. Upon a unanimous positive recommendation, authorization may be granted to organize up to ten tasting sessions with a maximum of thirty pre-selected participants per session, in accordance with the established conditions.

For more information regarding submission requirements and scheduling, please contact us via our contact form. Keep an eye on our website for future updates and tasting events.

Further information can be found in the Code of Practice: Safely Conducting Tastings of Innovative Fermentation-Based Foods Prior to EU Approval.