Protix names Maiko van der Meer as its new CEO

Protix, the Netherlands-based insect ingredients producer, has named Maiko van der Meer as its new Chief Executive Officer from November 2025.

Van der Meer has nearly 30 years of experience in the food and feed sectors, including senior roles at a variety of multinational companies, particularly in sectors such as aquaculture and food, including Unilever, Norwegian salmon producer Mowi, Vion Food Group, Klaas Puul, Storteboom Food Group, and Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest food companies and a minority owner of Protix.

Announcing the appointment, Protix emphasised Van der Meer's expertise in alternative protein ingredients, stating that in recent years, "he has focused increasingly on alternative proteins, from algae and plants to mycoproteins and cultured meat, driven by the belief that the world needs to produce sufficient protein in a responsible way."

On taking the helm, Van der Meer will focus on the company’s global expansion with a “strong strategic focus and agile delivery,” building on its existing reputation for high-quality and high-performing products, the company said. His mandate includes strengthening partnerships across aquafeed, livestock feed, and pet food markets.

“With rising meat and seafood demand and the need for more sustainable food chains, I am excited to lead a company that is at the forefront of changing the food system," Van der Meer said via a press release.

"Protix is building on a solid foundation with strong assets such as its committed team, unique portfolio of functional ingredients, state-of-the technology, and valuable partnerships such as that with Tyson Foods. I see a bright future for functional insect ingredients, and look forward to advancing their role in building a circular food system.”

In 2023, Protix announced Tyson Foods had acquired a minority stake in the firm, in addition to launching a joint venture to operate and build an insect ingredients plant in the U.S. In 2024, the insect ingredient producer signed a loan agreement with the European Investment Bank, securing financing of up to €37 million for construction of a new cutting-edge production plant in Poland.