Lallemand participates in The Grand Défi Ferments Du Futur Consortium: Innovating For the Food of Tomorrow
Image: Ella Olsson, Pexels
Lallemand is joining forces by getting involved in the steering committee of the Grand Défi Ferments du Futur, a highly strategic programme that aims to accelerate research and innovation in the field of ferments and fermented foods to meet the challenges of agronomy and ecological transition, food sovereignty and to strengthen the economic leadership of the French and European food industries.
Three months after its official presentation, this ambitious research-innovation programme piloted by
INRAE2 and l’ANIA3, already brings together around thirty public and private players, from academic
research to cooperatives, from start-ups to large corporations. It was launched operationally on 12
December, with the first meeting of its strategic orientation committee, which will contribute to its
operational and financial functions.
The presence of pioneering companies like Lallemand in this consortium will strengthen knowledge and
innovation around fermentation. Since 2017, Lallemand has been closely involved in the program
development process, in the definition of objectives and content. The presence of historical will allow
interactions between experts, and also a better understanding of the key role of fermentation and
fermented foods on human health.
“Lallemand is joining the Grand Défi Ferments du Futur in order to share its historical expertise in
fermentation and its scientific skills while benefiting from a technical platform, state-of-the-art equipment
and resources in order to develop fermentation solutions for the food industry in a collaborative
approach” summarises Patrice Laforce, research and development director, Lallemand Specialty
Cultures. “Among the objectives of the consortium, we wish to develop, mainly through applied research
and short-term projects, solutions that will be quickly applicable on the market. This is in line with
Lallemand’s research and development strategy” adds Mr. Laforce.
“In addition, an ambitious part of this program will be to better describe and understand the historical
and close link between the consumption of fermented foods and human health. The description of
fermented foods should help us better characterize these complex ecosystems and their roles in our
health, which is fully aligned with the Lallemand group strategy” adds Sylvie Binda, VP research and development, Lallemand Health Solutions.
“Fermented foods and beverages are already a major part of our diet. By exploring the tremendous
innovation potential of ferments, we will not only develop new foods based on vegetables, cereals,
legumes, milk or fruit, but also find value in products that are currently considered waste! This programme therefore aims to make a very concrete contribution to transitions towards healthy, safe and sustainable food for future generations,” says Damien Paineau, executive director of Ferments du Futur.
The presence in the consortium of developers, producers and users of ferments will make it possible to
create the essential links to work together and in synergy on the production of fermented foods and the
development of innovative ferments to facilitating the transitions to safer, healthier, and more
sustainable food.
What are the benefits of fermentation as a food preservation method?
- Fermentation is a natural and safe transformation process that allows better preservation of food.
- Fermentation is a healthy process that can produce nutrients of interest, such as vitamins,
improve the intestinal microbiota or even optimize the sensory qualities of foods while reducing their sugar or salt content. - Fermentation is a sustainable solution to adapt to variations in raw materials linked to climate change or to limit food waste.
Focused on food, Ferments du Futur will gradually be able to open to other applications, particularly in
the agricultural sector. You will find more information on the Grand Défi Ferments du Futur, a unique
research and innovation platform in Europe website.