Unlocking secrets of bioeconomy and biotechnology for a more sustainable food system
EIT Food attended BIOKET 2025 as a gold sponsor of the event. Taking a deeper dive into the world of biotechnology and the role it has within our food system, EIT Food was part of informative panels, knowledgeable workshops, an engaging booth session and had the pleasure of being part of a panel which launched the new McKinsey Biotechnology report.
EIT Food attended BIKOET 2025, one of the most important bioeconomy conferences in Europe, as a gold sponsor.
BIOKET stands for Bioeconomy Key Enabling Technologies, and it has been a global annual event from 2018. This year, the event was held in Brussels, Belgium, with the theme pertaining to biomass, its processes and technologies. It is unique in a way that it focuses on the technologies that contribute to a greener economy rather than the end-user products. EIT Food played a key role at the conference as one of the main gold sponsors and conducted an engaging workshop on the topic “Driving Impact in Agri-Food Innovation: Biotech Opportunities with EIT Food”.
During the opening plenary session, Mark Patel from McKinsey highlighted biotechnology's critical role in achieving net-zero goals. He emphasized how biotechnology is integral to five of the twelve climate technologies essential for reaching net zero. Following this, a dynamic panel of industry experts took the stage, including Richard Zaltzman, CEO of EIT Food. The expert panel focused on what’s required to scale advanced biotech, from moving from high-tech to low-tech solutions for cost efficiency to building strategic partnerships across the value chain.
At the event, EIT Food had the pleasure of being part of a panel where The Advanced Biotech for Sustainability (AB4S) report was officially launched, offering valuable insights on the economic and environmental opportunities of advanced biotechnology. The report, a collaboration between EIT Food, McKinsey & Company, ShakeUp Factory, the Good Food Institute, and other key partners, provides actionable recommendations for executives, investors, and policymakers. It focuses on the immense potential of technologies like cultivated meat and precision fermentation, which can drive both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“We discussed how to build momentum in this race, which hinges on companies making real commitments. No one is coming to save them — there’s no fairytale ending. Companies must act themselves. Financial commitment is key. While verbal agreements are common, real progress happens when companies invest money, pooling resources together.”
This call for financial commitment echoes the core message from the BIOKET 2025 conference: action and investment are crucial to turning insights into tangible outcomes. This statement also serves as a reminder to all involved in the bioeconomy that now is the time to reflect on how we can push forward, utilizing both technology and financial backing to create real progress.
"Advanced biotechnology is and will remain a key technology in agrifood, making it more sustainable and accessible. It is also essential for securing Europe’s global competitiveness. With momentum building in this space, EIT Food is committed to accelerating innovation and driving impact together with our partners."
EIT Food also had a successful workshop on their new Biotechnology Alliance, led by Lorena Savani, Mission Lead- Healthier Lives Through Food, EIT Food and Kevin Camphuis, Co-founder, ShakeUp Factory, where they shared important insights and engaged in meaningful conversations with numerous stakeholders in the field.
"During our workshop, we highlighted the transformative potential of biotechnology in agri-food, driving innovation and sustainability through our collaborative initiatives like the Biotech Portfolio, Protein Diversification Think Tank, and the future European Agri-Food Biotech Alliance, turning science into impactful solutions for the future."
The event was a milestone in EIT Food’s journey towards a more sustainable and innovative food system, with participants united in their commitment to creating real, measurable impact in the biotechnology and bioeconomy sphere. BIOKET was an exciting opportunity to share the work that EIT Food are heavily involved in regarding biotechnology, create new connections and hear the thoughts and expertise from others within the sector.
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