Novel proteins for sustainable food systems: Techno-economic feasibility and consumer acceptance in selected EU respondents

This study integrates techno-economic and consumer-oriented perspectives to assess the feasibility of algae- and insect-based proteins as sustainable food options. Using exploratory evidence from respondents in Belgium, Germany, and Poland, it combines secondary Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) benchmarks from modular production studies with three demand-side modules: the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) (n = 55), the Food Neophobia Scale and Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FNS/FTNS) (n = 529), and the Price Sensitivity Meter (PSM) (n = 30). AHP results show that Healthiness is the most important criterion (55.6%), followed by Sensory Attractiveness (27.4%) and Availability (17.0%); within Healthiness, Safety is the dominant sub-criterion. TEA/LCA indicators suggest favorable environmental performance for both systems, with emissions of 2.77 and 3.48 kg CO2-eq/kg for insect- and algae-based production, respectively, although algae production is more capital-intensive. FNS/FTNS results indicate mainly neutral attitudes, with non-negligible shares of neophobic respondents (13.4% in FNS; 15.1% in FTNS). PSM estimates acceptable price ranges of EUR 3.66–5.85/kg for insect-based foods and EUR 4.79–6.91/kg for algae-based foods. The findings suggest that adoption of novel proteins depends not only on environmental and economic performance, but also on perceived safety, sensory expectations, neophobia, and price acceptability. The study offers an exploratory framework for linking supply-side feasibility with demand-side readiness in sustainable protein transitions.