Impact

Transforming plant-based dairy

DELICIOUS will create plant-based cheese and kefir that are:

Delicious & Accessible

Offering authentic taste and texture while being more affordable than current alternatives.

Nutritionally Rich

High in protein, vitamins, and probiotics to match or exceed the nutritional profile of conventional dairy.

Clean & Natural

Free from additives and ultra-processing, responding to growing consumer demand for ‘clean label’ products.

Sustainably Produced

Compared to conventional dairy production.

Environmental Impact

DELICIOUS will reduce the environmental footprint of dairy production through innovative fermentation processes:

LESS WATER CONSUMPTION

Compared to conventional dairy production.

Reduction in CO₂ emissions

By replacing palm and coconut oils with precision-fermented microbial fats.

Lower land use by reducing dependence on resource-intensive agricultural crops

such as palm and soy, through the production of tailored microbial fats.

Socioeconomic Impact

DELICIOUS will support the transition to more sustainable and accessible food systems:

Plant-based cheese and kefir will be more affordable than current alternatives, increasing consumer accessibility.

Enhanced consumer acceptance by improving flavour and texture, targeting an overall liking score of at least 7 out of 9 on the hedonic scale.A

Increased market competitiveness for plant-based dairy products, driving new business opportunities and supporting the growth of a sustainable bioeconomy.

Scientific and Technological Impact

DELICIOUS will advance scientific knowledge and technological innovation in the plant-based dairy sector:

Production of microbial fat via precision fermentation and its incorporation into plant-based dairy products.

Development of over 20 new starter cultures for plant-based cheese and kefir to enhance flavour and texture

Completion of over 1,000 fermentation trials to optimise microbial combinations and production conditions.

Creation of a metabolic dataset from over 30,000 genomes to support predictive modelling of product characteristics.

Development of a machine learning-based prediction tool to forecast flavour, texture, and odour based on microbial strains and raw materials

Source: www.nizo.com

Market and Business Impact

DELICIOUS will strengthen the market position of plant-based dairy by delivering higher quality products at lower costs:

Development of 4 new products (2 plant-based kefir, 2 plant-based cheese) optimised at pilot scale (TRL6).

Production costs expected to decrease by 50%, increasing profit margins and making plant-based dairy more competitive.

Enhanced market penetration and consumer loyalty through improved product quality and affordability.

DELICIOUS will ultimately help establish a more sustainable and competitive plant-based dairy market, contributing to the broader transition towards a circular bioeconomy.