Abu Dhabi's new giga factory set to transform alternative protein market

NUOS AG, a leader in alternative protein production, has announced a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Growth Fund (ADGF) to establish what is claimed to be the world’s most advanced facility for producing alternative protein at scale. The partnership will create a category-leading innovation, production, and commercialization ecosystem serving global markets from Abu Dhabi.

NUOS AG will establish its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, leveraging the Emirate's strategic location and resources to further its growth in Europe, North America, and the Middle East North African market. NUOS MENA will serve as a central hub for innovation, production, and commercialization, facilitating and managing major projects.

The company’s presence in Abu Dhabi will also contribute to the Emirate's efforts to capture opportunities in the growing food and water market, which is expected to reach AED77.4 trillion by 2045.

As the world faces a global climate crisis, disrupting dependency on animals in the food system is crucial to achieving net-zero targets. The food industry accounts for 34% of human-made greenhouse gas emissions globally, making it the second-largest contributor after energy. While there have been pockets of innovation in alternative proteins, their impact has been limited due to fragmentation and minimal scale.

Through this partnership, NUOS will become the world-leading independent Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) facility for alternative proteins. By delivering scale, quality, and price parity with conventional meat products, the company aims to unlock mass demand at price points and product quality that consumers expect.

NUOS will also collaborate with Abu Dhabi-based research and development institutes to explore innovative and sustainable food technologies. Additionally, the company seeks to form partnerships with Abu Dhabi-based universities to build local talent capabilities in this field.

Badr Al-Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "The development of a world-leading alternative protein production facility in Abu Dhabi marks a significant step forward for both the UAE and the wider region. Once operational, the facility will add scale, diversity, and accessibility to our growing food ecosystem, bringing with it real-world benefits that will be immediately felt by consumers."

Bjoern Witte, Chairman of NUOS, emphasized the company's commitment to accelerating the transition to a sustainable food system. "NUOS AG was created to meet the global consumer demands for high-quality meat alternative products at competitive prices," he said. "For the launch of our first giga facility, we sought a partner who shares our vision and mission and has the ecosystem to drive a global transition. Abu Dhabi emerged as the natural choice due to their vision, commitment, local infrastructure, and long-term partnership appetite. Together, we can accelerate this transition and create the gold standard for the food industry globally."

Led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and ADIO, AGWA is poised to become a global hub for novel food and ingredients, as well as technologies that increase access to and enable the efficient utilization of water resources. This innovative cluster aims to support local suppliers and exporters, serving as a platform to maximize commercial opportunities. By meeting increasing global demand, alleviating pressures on agricultural systems, addressing shifting dietary patterns, capitalizing on technological advancements, and supporting global food security, AGWA seeks to ensure a reliable and resilient supply chain.

Abu Dhabi's leadership in advanced food and water production methods, coupled with its strong traditional farming base, provides a solid foundation for AGWA. The Emirate is home to more than 24,000 farms, of which 50% are located in the Al Ain region. In recent years, ADIO has partnered with numerous innovative food and water companies focused on developing solutions for desert and arid climates.