NIZO Pioneers the Future of Food with New Fermentation Scale-Up Facility

January 14, 2025 – NIZO Food Research is proud to announce an expansion of their offer  through the Biotechnology Fermentation Factory (BFF) in Ede, a state-of-the-art, open-access scale-up facility dedicated to the production of foods and ingredients through fermentation technology. This new initiative marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable food systems, aligning with NIZO’s mission to innovate for better food and health.

The BFF, located on NIZO’s campus, is designed to address the growing demand for scalable fermentation solutions, including precision fermentation and microbial biomass. By integrating NIZO’s advanced food-grade pilot plant, laboratories, and expertise in product development, the facility provides companies with a unique environment to accelerate the development and commercialize their products.

Photo: Biotechnology Fermentation Factory Ede (BFF) and NIZO Food Research.  

A Hub for Scaling Fermentation

At the heart of the BFF’s offering is its ability to support companies in scaling up production up to 10,000L without the need for costly infrastructure investments. Combining NIZO’s decades of expertise in food technology with cutting-edge facilities, the BFF streamlines the path from research to market.

Nikolaas Vles, CEO of NIZO Food Research, highlights the transformative potential of the new facility: “The BFF represents an extraordinary opportunity for companies to innovate and scale in a food-grade environment. By providing end-to-end support – from process optimization to food product formulation, regulatory and commercialization guidance – we are accelerating the protein transition and fostering a future of sustainable, nutritious food options.”

The realization of the open access upscaling facilities is financially supported through a €12.5 million grant from the National Growth Fund for Cellular Agriculture Netherlands (NGF CAN). With additional financial backing from OostNL via Perspectieffonds Gelderland, the BFF underscores the commitment to advancing cellular agriculture and driving meaningful change in food production.

The Netherlands: A Global Leader in Cellular Agriculture

The launch of the BFF is part of a broader initiative to position the Netherlands as a global hub for cellular agriculture. Alongside the BFF, Cultivate at Scale (CaS) in Maastricht focuses on upscaling of cell culture bioprocessing, complementing NIZO’s efforts in microbial fermentation. Together, these facilities provide critical infrastructure for the rapidly growing cellular agriculture sector.

Maresa Oosterman, Chair of the CAN Foundation, emphasizes the importance of collaboration: “These facilities are a testament to the Netherlands’ leadership in food innovation. By working together, we can overcome the challenges of scaling cellular agriculture and unlock a sustainable, diverse, and secure food future.”

Accelerating the Protein Transition

The construction of the Biotechnology Fermentation Factory (BFF) starts in early 2025, but NIZO already has existing facilities that enable companies to advance their (precision) fermentation processes immediately. The BFF is expected to be fully operational with advanced scale-up facilities by the end of 2026, supporting companies in transforming food production and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Press Releases

Download our press releases (also available in Dutch):

General Press Release

NIZO & OostNL Press Release

More information

Would you like to learn more about partnering with the BFF? Visit www.bff-ede.com or contact us: