Melt&Marble and the EIC Accelerator: Designer Fats From Yeast

Melt&Marble, a Gothenburg company that grew out of Jens Nielsen's systems biology group at Chalmers University of Technology and is led by chief executive Anastasia Krivoruchko, engineers yeast to produce "designer fats" that mimic the texture and flavour of animal fat, for plant-based foods and cosmetics. Its EIC Accelerator project receives an EU contribution of €2,485,840 and ran from January 2025 to September 2026, according to CORDIS. It aimed to improve production, scale from pilot to demonstration scale and move from TRL 5 to TRL 8, with extensive application tests.

After nine months, the report says, Melt&Marble had "already achieved the target strain and bioprocess KPIs" set for the project, ahead of schedule, tested its fat in meat and dairy alternatives, confectionery and bakery, and signed a joint development agreement with a large food company, according to CORDIS. In December 2025 it raised a €7.3 million Series A led by Industrifonden, with the EIC Fund, Beiersdorf, Valio, Chalmers Ventures and Catalyze Capital, according to Melt&Marble. In March 2026 its food fat MeltyMarble obtained self-affirmed GRAS status for US sales, and in July 2026 it commercially launched Marble7, a lipid for personal care.

Where Melt&Marble Stands Now

Marble7, launched in July 2026 at in-cosmetics Korea, is Melt&Marble's first commercially available ingredient, distributed through the Covalo ingredient platform, according to Melt&Marble. In food, it has a development partnership with Finland's Valio from January 2025 and US GRAS status, but no food product on shelves has been announced. Its Swedish accounts were not accessible in free sources.

The Technology: Fat Without the Animal

Plant-based meat and dairy rely on oils like coconut that cannot match the melting, juiciness and flavour of animal fat, the EIC report says. Melt&Marble's engineered yeasts produce tailored fats with 40% to 60% saturated fat, compared with 90% for coconut oil, using existing contract fermentation capacity. The same platform yields lipids for skin care.

What the EIC Award Promised, and What the Record Shows

The project ended on 30 September 2026. Production targets were met early and the company has made its first commercial launch, but in cosmetics rather than the meat and dairy alternatives the EIC project centred on. Demonstration-scale production and TRL 8 are not documented in the public report, which covers only the first nine months.

1. Strain and process targetsDeliveredAhead of schedule.
2. Application testsDeliveredFood and bakery.
3. Demo scale, TRL 8Not reportedPeriod 1 only.
4. Commercial launchPersonal careFood not yet.

The Money

The EIC Fund took part in the Series A, so both halves of the blended award arrived. Strategic investors from both target markets, Beiersdorf in skin care and Valio in dairy, joined.

What Cannot Be Checked

Why Europe Should Care

Better fats could make plant-based foods more appealing, which the EIC report links to lower land use and emissions from animal farming. Melt&Marble's first commercial launch came in cosmetics, not food.

The Verdict

Melt&Marble and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.