At the Annual Conference of the China Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST), ProVeg China and the NeoProtein Professional Committee officially released the Blue Paper Top 10 Technical Bottlenecks in NeoProtein 2025.
The Blue Paper was interpreted by Chen Jian, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering from Jiangnan University, and Zhaofeng Li, Vice President of Jiangnan University. They emphasised the importance of focusing efforts on key technical bottlenecks, mobilising coordinated innovation, and strengthening China’s role as a global hub for NeoProtein research and industrial development.
A roadmap for tackling critical bottlenecks
Developed by 48 experts across China, the Blue Paper provides a systematic overview of the major technical barriers currently limiting the development of NeoProtein.
It offers a structured reference for academia, industry, and policymakers, supporting more coordinated efforts to accelerate breakthroughs and translate scientific research into practical applications.
NeoProtein as a strategic direction for future food systems
With China advancing the “Big Food” approach and diversifying its protein supply, NeoProtein — referring to protein sources not reliant on conventional livestock or fisheries — is emerging as a key strategic direction.
This includes plant-based, cultivated, microbial, algae, and insect-derived proteins, which are expected to contribute to food system resilience, industrial upgrading, and food security.
The Top 10 Technical Bottlenecks
The Blue Paper identifies ten priority technical bottlenecks, developed through multiple rounds of expert consultation across plant protein, microbial protein, cultivated meat, algae and insect protein, as well as regulatory and equipment systems:
- Green and High-Efficiency Extraction Technology for Low-Denatured Plant protein
- Construction of Meat-like Multi-dimensional Structure Construction of NeoProtein and Enhancement of Juiciness Simulation
- Development of Myogenic Cell Lines with Stable Long-term Passaging Capacity for Cultivated Meat Applications
- Establishment of a Scalable Serum-free Culture System for Cultivated meat
- Construction of the Highly Efficient Cell Factory for Fermented Microbial Biomass Protein Production
- Intelligent Design of Protein Biomanufacturing Reactors and Process Control for High-Density Fermentation
- Precision Design of Yeast Chassis Cells for Efficient Expression of Functional Proteins
- Integration Technology for Low-carbon Processing of Edible Fungal Protein and Automated Solid-state Fermentation Equipment
- Optimization of Processability and Multi-scenario Application of Yeast Protein
- Protein Enrichment and Quality-enhanced Utilization of Fusarium Venenatum
Expert perspectives
Jian Li, Vice Dean of the School of Food and Health at Beijing Technology and Business University, noted:
“The ‘Top 10 Technical Bottlenecks’ clearly identify the main bottlenecks across plant, microbial, and cultivated protein fields. Addressing these priorities through joint efforts between academia and industry will be essential for advancing high-quality sector development.”
Xiaoquan Yang, Professor at the School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, added:
“Significant technical gaps remain, particularly in plant-based protein. Future efforts should focus on staple food applications and animal protein substitution to enable broader adoption.”
A shared effort towards future food systems
The CIFST NeoProtein Professional Committee, established in April 2025 and chaired by Academician Chen Jian, brings together experts in food science, biotechnology, and engineering to advance the development of NeoProtein in China.
The report reflects joint efforts from industry experts, research institutions, and international organisations, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration.
Nicole Wu, Executive Director of ProVeg, China commented:
“The ‘Top 10 Technical Bottlenecks’ provide a clear call to action for the sector. They help focus research priorities, guide more targeted allocation of policy and funding, and highlight key areas for collaboration across industry and academia.”
As part of the global alternative protein ecosystem, ProVeg China will continue to facilitate connections between domestic and international stakeholders, supporting China’s development of internationally competitive innovation capabilities in NeoProtein.
