Alternative Proteins Magazine ISSUE FOCUS October 2025 23 er industrial side-streams can be effectively shared among partners and used as valuable inputs for protein production in global feed markets. In addition, collaboration between member companies reduces waste, prevents emissions, benefits the local community, and strengthens the competitiveness of the entire cluster. This synergy highlights an important point: The transition to circular systems cannot be achieved by one company alone. It requires collaboration across industries and sectors (Figure 2). THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS ON FOOD SYSTEMS The significance of the Kalundborg Symbiosis goes beyond Denmark or Europe. It speaks to a broader transformation underway in global food systems. The challenges with protein supply are global in scope, but so are the opportunities. Countries dependent on protein imports could benefit from local production of alternative proteins, reducing vulnerability to price swings and supply disruptions. Regions facing land or water scarcity could use methane fermentation to produce protein without competing with food crops, and industries seeking to decarbonize could derive new value from their emissions through circular bioeconomy applications (FAO, 2021; WEF, 2019). LOOKING AHEAD: SCALING CIRCULAR PROTEIN SOLUTIONS The potential of alternative proteins is vast, but realizing it requires scale, policy support, and continued innovation. Scaling production is essential: fermentation technologies need to be deployed at larger volumes and across more regions to make a meaningful impact on global protein supply. Policy and regulation also play a crucial role, as governments can accelerate adoption by supporting circular bioeconomy models, incentivizing methane capture, and creating clear regulatory pathways for novel proteins. Simultaneously, market acceptance is key. Feed and food producers must be confident in the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of alternative proteins, and early partnerships will be critical in building trust. Beyond this, innovative ecosystems demonstrate how industrial collaboration can enhance efficiency and reduce emissions, and replicating these models in new contexts could unlock significant opportunities. These approaches provide both inspiration and practical solutions as the global food system seeks sustainable growth. CONCLUSION The world needs to rethink protein production if it is to feed a growing population sustainably. Alternative proteins, grounded in circular bioeconomy principles, provide a powerful way forward. They reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and create more resilient food systems. One example is the integration of methane fermentation into industrial symbiosis networks, where emissions and byproducts from one industry become valuable resources for another. This approach demonstrates how collaboration and circular models can be brought to life in practice, turning challenges such as methane emissions into opportunities for sustainable food and feed production. As demand for protein continues to grow and the world seeks climate-smart solutions, these innovations illustrate how technology, resource efficiency, and cross-sector partnerships can come together to deliver real impact. Alternative proteins are not a distant future. They are already here, reshaping global food systems for the better. Residue Resource Resource Residue Figure 2. Illustration of the industrial symbiosis principle: Residues from one partner become valuable resources for another Source: Kalundborg Symbiosis
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