These food companies made the KVK Innovation Top 100 2026

From a plant-based fillet to crab meat: the food industry is also represented in the KVK Innovation Top 100 2026. Four finalists are developing food products or ingredients. Another company on the list develops technology that helps manufacturers process alternative proteins. KVK selected the 100 finalists from more than 200 entries. The list is in alphabetical order. KVK will announce the winners on November 13.

Plant-based products

Schouten Europe is a finalist with its Vegan Filet. The company developed its own fiber structure for the product. Schouten says the fillet stays firm and juicy even in hot dishes. Schouten uses 3D technology to give it its recognizable shape.

Rift Protein works with mung beans from East Africa. The company says it has eliminated the beany flavor and aroma of its product. Rift Protein says its protein is more soluble than pea protein. According to the company, the remaining starch is suitable for edible and biodegradable packaging.

Crabs, seaweed and processing technology

Crustalicious developed a method that fully automates the extraction of meat from small crabs. Their complex anatomy had made them difficult to process until now. The byproducts are used to produce proteins for animal feed and natural colorants, among other things.

Seaweedland grows seaweed in land-based cultivation ponds. The company has a pilot site in Heerhugowaard. According to Seaweedland, controlled cultivation makes it possible to harvest seaweed year-round.

Dutch Structuring Technologies developed Sheartex for the production of foods made from alternative proteins. The process gives proteins a fibrous structure without conventional extrusion. According to the company, manufacturers can process different protein sources and adjust recipes without making mechanical changes to the equipment.

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