Cultivated
Fermentation
Plant-Based
Directories of contract manufacturers for plant-based production, fermentation, and animal cell culture
The alt protein industry would benefit from better open-access directories of co-manufacturers interested in producing alternative proteins, including more detail on their equipment and capabilities.
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Plant-Based
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Cultivated
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Fermentation
- Commercial
- Ecosystem
- Production
- End product formulation & manufacturing
- Industry
- GFI
- NGO’s
- 2 – Early adoption
Current challenge
Finding contract manufacturers is often a lengthy and difficult process. Encouraging connections between alternative protein companies and these contract manufacturers requires a comprehensive database. Some directories of contract manufacturers in the alternative protein industry already exist—such as those developed by PartnerSlate, PLMA, and GFI—but each currently has limitations or requires a subscription. These options also do not include complementary service providers or consultants to support the process of selecting and negotiating with co-manufacturers. With the current options available, the process of identifying, selecting, and negotiating with a co-manufacturer remains a difficult task for many alternative protein companies.
Proposed solution
All-encompassing open-access databases would greatly benefit the entire alternative protein industry. These directories would reduce the time required to identify and select co-manufacturers, and potentially reduce costs and expand capacity by increasing exposure for new contract manufacturers. The lists of manufacturers should include each manufacturer’s equipment relevant to alternative protein production, so that companies could filter through the co-manufacturer’s suitability for their process. Included with this list of co-manufacturers should be a list of consultants who could help assist with the selection and negotiation process.
Anticipated impact
Additional contract manufacturing resources would catalyze the expansion of alternative protein products by facilitating relationships between alternative protein companies and contract manufacturing partners. Additionally, this increased interaction would be beneficial for consultants providing advice on the selection and negotiation of these partnerships. Having open-access databases would facilitate the growth of the entire alternative protein industry by providing companies a more affordable and rapid scale-up of production. This would encourage contract manufacturers to cater more towards the alternative protein industry, such as by investing in equipment relevant to alternative protein product production.
Related efforts
GFI resources
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