ChainCraft has been internationally recognised for its contribution to circular innovation within the agri‑food value chain. In the 2025 FoodTech 500, the global ranking curated by Forward Fooding, ChainCraft secured position #121. This places ChainCraft among one of the 23 Dutch companies included in this year’s list, which brings together businesses using technology to rethink waste streams, sustainability, security of supply and industrial scalability.
What is the FoodTech 500?
The FoodTech 500 is a global ranking curated by Forward Fooding that recognises the most impactful companies shaping the future of food through technology and sustainability. Often referred to as the “Fortune 500 of FoodTech”, the list highlights startups and scale‑ups delivering meaningful innovation across the global food and agrifood system.
Each year, more than 1,200 companies apply for inclusion, with the final 500 selected through a data‑driven methodology assessing business maturity, digital footprint, sustainability performance and market relevance. The 2025 edition reflects a continued shift towards scalable, industrial solutions that deliver measurable environmental and economic impact.
Why ChainCraft was selected
ChainCraft was selected as a 2025 FoodTech 500 finalist for its ability to upcycle organic residues into high‑value, bio‑based fatty acids, providing a circular alternative to fossil‑ and palm‑based inputs used across food, feed and industrial applications.
As one of the 23 Dutch companies featured in the ranking, ChainCraft underlines the Netherlands’ role as an international hub for sustainable food and chemical innovation.
Globally, large volumes of organic residues from the agri‑food sector remain underutilised or are treated as low‑value waste. ChainCraft addresses this inefficiency by using natural, non‑GMO fermentation technology to convert these residues into functional fatty acids. By relying on locally available feedstocks and a robust fermentation process, ChainCraft also contributes to a stable and reliable supply of raw materials, reducing dependence on volatile global markets for fossil‑ and palm‑based resources.
What sets ChainCraft apart is its strong focus on industrial scalability combined with circular performance and supply security. The company operates a proven fermentation process designed for continuous, stable, large‑scale production, enabling customers to transition away from conventional raw materials without compromising on quality, reliability of supply or price competitiveness.
From food residues to circular fatty acids
In traditional production chains, organic by‑products from food processing are often incinerated, composted or downcycled, while industries continue to rely heavily on fossil‑ and palm‑based feedstocks.
ChainCraft challenges this linear model by giving food residues a second life as chemical building blocks. Through advanced chain‑elongation fermentation technology, locally sourced organic residues are converted into medium‑chain fatty acids with applications across a wide range of markets.
This approach results in fully bio‑based and circular ingredients with a significantly lower environmental footprint. Independent life‑cycle assessments show that ChainCraft’s fatty acids achieve a three‑to‑six‑times lower global warming impact compared to conventional fossil‑ and palm‑based alternatives, while simultaneously supporting regional value creation, efficient resource use and a more resilient supply chain.
By closing the loop between the agri‑food and chemical industries, ChainCraft demonstrates how residual streams can become part of a future‑proof, stable and sustainable value chain.
What this recognition means going forward
Being included in the 2025 FoodTech 500 validates ChainCraft’s approach to developing scalable, circular solutions at the intersection of food, fermentation and chemistry. The recognition positions the company within a global network of innovators delivering technologies that are ready for large‑scale, industrial deployment.
For ChainCraft, this milestone supports the next phase of growth, including scaling production capacity, further strengthening stable and regional supply chains, and accelerating the replacement of fossil‑ and palm‑based materials with sustainable alternatives. It reinforces ChainCraft’s mission to help build a future in which all chemistry is circular, transforming food residues into lasting value for people and planet.
