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Plant-based dairy innovation: Research and industry partners sought for Horizon Europe proposal HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IA-03 on scaling up chickpea-based alternatives

Summary

Profile Type
  • Research & Development Request
POD Reference
RDRBE20250606008
Term of Validity
16 June 2025 - 16 June 2026
Company's Country
  • Belgium
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A Belgian start-up developing plant-based dairy alternatives based on pulses, with a first focus on chickpeas, is seeking research and industry partners for a Horizon Europe proposal (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IA-03). The company wishes to join a consortium focused on scaling up nutritional proteins from alternative sources. They seek partners including dairy/plant-based food companies, co-manufacturers, and legume producer organisations. Research cooperation agreement is envisaged.
Full Description
Double Triple Foods is a Belgian start-up innovating in the plant-based dairy sector. They are developing a dairy alternative based on pulses, first chickpeas, using a unique direct milking process for clean label products with improved nutritional and functional properties.

Their R&D activities include:
- Optimisation of processing of pulses to dairy alternative products;
- Formulations;
- Upscaling of processing & production;
- Piloting Regenerative chickpea cultivation in Belgium.

Double Triple Foods is actively seeking to join a consortium for the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IA-03: Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources. They aim to contribute as industrial partner in the value chain and testbed development. Their ambition is to develop nutritious and affordable plant-based products, promote regenerative agriculture and expand European protein autonomy.

The company looks for partners with complementary expertise and infrastructure:
- Food manufacturers in the dairy/plant-based sector exploring diversification to chickpea-based alternatives;
- Co-manufacturers with capacity for small- to mid-scale production and fermentation of plant-based drinks;
- Producer organisations/cooperatives of legumes (chickpeas, fava beans, etc.) open to supply chain cooperation and agro-ecological innovation.
Advantages and Innovations
Double Triple Foods distinguishes itself through its integrative approach combining food innovation, sustainability, and supply chain impact:
- The developed base & drinks mimic dairy properties without common allergens (e.g. lactose, soy, nuts...);
- Contains added micronutrients tailored to consumer health needs;
- Focuses on scalable, clean-label fermentation processes avoiding synthetic additives.
- Integrates regenerative agriculture into protein ingredient sourcing, enabling local value creation.
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
  • Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
Partners are expected to co-develop, pilot or validate components of the value chain: from chickpea cultivation and processing to co-manufacturing and market uptake of the final product.
Type and Size of Partner
  • University
  • Big company
  • SME 50 - 249
  • R&D Institution
  • SME 11-49
  • SME <=10
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Call details

Framework program
  • Horizon Europe
Call title and identifier
Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IA-03
Submission and evaluation scheme
Single-stage
Coordinator required
No
Deadline for EoI
Deadline of the call
Project duration in weeks
144
Web link to the call
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportuni…

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 08001004 - Food Processing
  • 06006011 - Fermentation
  • 08001005 - Food Technology
Market keywords
  • 07003002 - Health food
Targeted countries
  • All countries