Against the background of a growing world population, our food system is considered unfit for purpose as it entails unsustainable or socially unacceptable environmental, animal and health costs. Agriculture and the food industry are responsible for about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, largely because of animal farming. What is more, diets are biased towards animal fats, which have potentially detrimental health effects. Piers Nestler looks at the possible implications for the industry as he tries to identify beneficiaries from a transition to alternative proteins. Companies discussed BASF, Bayer, Biotalys, Danone, GEA, Kerry Group, KWS Saat and Vilmorin.