EIC Accelerator Grant: NoPalm Ingredients, Innovation in Sustainable Oil
NoPalm Ingredients, an innovative startup based in Wageningen, has recently been awarded a prestigious €2.5 million EIC Accelerator grant. This funding comes at a pivotal time for the company, which is gaining recognition in the food industry for its sustainable alternatives to conventional palm oil. ‘We are honoured to have been selected for this programme. The support from the EIC Accelerator will enable us to accelerate our research and development, helping us achieve our goals and vision of creating a greener, sustainable oil and fat industry,’ says Lars Langhout, CEO and co-founder of NoPalm Ingredients.
NoPalm Ingredients distinguishes itself through its sustainable approach to producing oil alternatives without the harmful environmental impacts associated with traditional palm oil production. Currently, palm oil is an ingredient in 60% of supermarket products, and the ecological and social issues linked to its production pose a significant challenge to the global food chain. NoPalm Ingredients is working on a solution through a circular production process that utilises local and environmentally friendly raw materials. Thanks to the EIC Accelerator funding, NoPalm Ingredients can further invest in research and development, in order to to launch industrial-scale trials and provide hundreds of kilograms of oil for customer testing.
Wageningen: A hub of innovation
NoPalm Ingredients is part of the thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wageningen. ‘We are in an invaluable environment, with easy access to talent, knowledge, and facilities,’ says Langhout. Through partnerships with companies such as Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever, and Zeelandia, NoPalm Ingredients has built a strong foundation for further growth. Access to research facilities and collaboration with Wageningen University & Research has enabled the company to make rapid progress in developing its products. NoPalm Ingredients is determined to contribute to a more sustainable future by bringing its innovative oils to market and reshaping the oil and fat industry in an environmentally friendly way.
Building the future of our food system together
With the EIC funding, NoPalm Ingredients is on the brink of a significant period of growth and innovation. Their success in securing European support demonstrates that their vision and products have the potential for global impact. ‘This grant brings us closer to our goal of building a sustainable and circular oil industry that addresses the challenges of palm oil production,’ Langhout explains. ‘With our strong focus on the environment and innovation, we are taking the next step towards a more sustainable future for the food industry.
‘The fact that Wageningen startups excel in securing EIC Grants is proof that we have world-class innovation here,’ says Langhout. The EIC Accelerator helps these pioneers scale up. ‘But to truly make an impact and achieve the transition in the food system, collaboration with governments and corporations is crucial,’ Langhout emphasises. "In Wageningen, we are working together with full force to make this a reality."