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UKRI invest £15 million in National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre
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Wednesday, 18 September, 2024, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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London, UK
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UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Innovate UK have invested £15 million in the new National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC).
The centre will drive research and innovation, bolstering the alternative proteins sector in UK. It will turn ideas into reality and strengthen UK’s position as a leader in this rapidly expanding global market.
The NAPIC ambition is far-reaching. Spanning the entire alternative protein supply chain, the centre will foster innovation across a variety of protein sources, from plant-based proteins and lab-grown meats to protein-rich algae.
Animal agriculture is estimated to produce up to a fifth of planet-warming emissions. And with the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the demand for protein is expected to rise significantly.
Indeed, UN Environment Programme estimates that meat consumption alone could increase by as much as 50% by 2050. As the global population rises, supplementing traditional agriculture with alternative protein sources is mission critical to meet increasing demands sustainably.
Plant-based proteins, such as soy and peas, and lab-grown meats are excellent sources of alternative protein. As well as supporting products that offer a more sustainable and resilient approach, they typically have a lower carbon footprint and can be produced with fewer resources.
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC executive chair, said, “I am pleased to announce the launch of the £15 million national alternative protein innovation centre. This investment positions NAPIC at the forefront of the global ambition to produce the next generation of alternative protein products, services and technologies. The science and innovation supported by NAPIC will bring together businesses, charities, academic researchers and wider stakeholders to cover the breadth of the alternative proteins industry in UK and globally, from plant-based protein to new food products created in laboratories. UK is at the forefront of the alternative proteins industry which has enabled over £23 million in additional investment and support for NAPIC from businesses, international partners and wider stakeholders.”
Dr Stella Peace, executive director for Healthy Living and Agriculture at Innovate UK, said, “The new national alternative protein innovation centre will advance research and innovation in alternative proteins, strengthening UK’s leadership in this critical sector and fostering international collaboration to ensure a more sustainable and secure food future for all. Through our strategic partnership with BBSRC we are enabling UK businesses to collaborate with UK research base to tackle global challenges like food security and sustainability while driving economic growth.”
Professor Anwesha Sarkar, director of research and innovation at the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition, and Project Leader for NAPIC, said, “There are many challenges to transitioning towards alternative proteins. Population-level access to and acceptance of alternative proteins is currently hindered by a highly complex marketplace, concerns about taste, nutritional equivalence and cost, as well as health and safety concerns and the fear of diminished livelihoods for farmers. The national alternative protein innovation centre will provide a robust and sustainable platform for open innovation, responsible data exchange and collaboration with industry, regulators, academic partners and policy makers that mitigate the risks associated with this emerging sector while addressing the short and longer-term concerns of consumers and producers.”
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