Proceedings of the II Conference on Alternative Proteins & II Cultured Meat Workshop

Abstract

The Conference on Alternative Proteins (COAP) is a scientific event organized by the Alt Protein Project (APP) university groups, part of a global student movement created by the Good Food Institute (GFI) to empower students to lead the transformation of the food system at their universities. COAP aims to promote integration between universities and industry, highlighting the sector’s main innovations. The event addresses three central pillars: plant-based protein analogues, cultivated meat, and fermentation, featuring discussions on science, technology, and market trends. Since its first edition in 2024, the event has brought together students, researchers, and professionals, strengthening the dialogue between academia and industry in support of more sustainable food solutions. The Cultured Meat Workshop (JCC) was the first event in Brazil dedicated to the topic, organized by Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa Swine and Poultry). Held since 2022, the event aims to deepen knowledge about cultivated meat by bringing together perspectives from various sectors, including the food industry, the Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira, researchers in the field, science and technology institutes, as well as input and equipment industries. It also addresses discussions on future regulation and consumer trends. Building on the success of previous editions and seeking to intensify connections between strategic sectors by stimulating collaborations and innovations in the field of alternative proteins, the II Conference on Alternative Proteins (COAP) & II Cultured Meat Workshop (JCC) aimed to reach new heights under the theme “Proteins of the Future for a Resilient Food System.” The 2025 event addressed three central pillars: cultured proteins, plant-based proteins, and fermentation applied to the alternative protein market, expanding the scientific and social scope of the alternative proteins field. The Sociedade Brasileira de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos (sbCTA), the UFSC Alt Protein Project (UFSC APP), the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), and the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa) joined forces to hold the second joint edition of these events. The combined event took place from November 12 to 14, 2025, in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, at the Centro de Cultura e Eventos Reitor Luiz Carlos Cancellier de Olivo of UFSC, culminating in the participation of approximately 290 attendees, 34 speakers, 17 exhibitors, 7 sponsors, 17 supporters, and 137 scientific submissions.