Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein opens at National University of Singapore

A new research center dedicated to developing sustainable protein solutions opened its doors today at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, established with a generous donation from the Bezos Earth Fund, aims to address the pressing global challenge of food security while minimizing environmental impact.

“NUS and the Bezos Earth Fund are united by a shared commitment to actively combat climate change. The world’s growing appetite for meat has put a huge strain on our global food system, and we need to develop sustainable food solutions with researchers, government and industry,” said Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President. “With the generous support of the Bezos Earth Fund, we look forward to leveraging our unique position in Asia to drive innovation and collaboration across the region, ensuring sustainable protein solutions that benefit consumers and industry, and protect the environment.”

The center will prioritize research into microalgae, biomass fermentation, and cell-cultured and plant-based protein technologies. By exploring these diverse approaches, researchers aim to develop a variety of protein-rich foods that cater to different dietary preferences and cultural tastes.

"The Bezos Earth Fund is committed to supporting groundbreaking research that addresses climate change and its impacts on food systems," added Andrew Steer, CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund. "We believe that the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein has the potential to make a significant contribution to the global food security challenge."

One of the center's key areas of focus will be microalgae, a highly nutritious and sustainable source of protein. Researchers will investigate methods for cultivating microalgae on a large scale and extracting its valuable nutrients for use in various food products.

Professor Zhou Weibiao, Head of the NUS Department of Food Science and Technology (NUS FST) and Acting Director of the new Centre, emphasized the importance of research that addresses both consumer needs and industry demands.

“NUS is well-positioned to host the new Centre given our extensive research expertise and strong partnerships in developing alternative proteins, demonstrated through many joint projects at NUS FST with internal and external partners, as well as our deep understanding of important areas such as nutrition, safety, and consumer perceptions,” said Professor Zhou. “We look forward to making tangible impact by translating cutting-edge research into affordable, attractive, and nutritious alternative proteins for consumers, supporting the industry, and nurturing young talents for a resilient food system.”

"Biomass fermentation has the potential to transform the food industry," added Professor Weibiao. "By utilizing waste materials and converting them into valuable products, we can reduce our reliance on traditional sources of protein and minimize our environmental footprint."

The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein will also conduct research into cell-cultured and plant-based proteins. These innovative technologies offer the possibility of producing meat and dairy alternatives without the need for animal agriculture, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution.

“The NUS Centre is pioneering breakthrough innovations, such as transforming tofu waste into high-quality protein – a practical example of zero-waste, circular economy principles in action,” said Dr Andy Jarvis, Director of Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund. “As part of our US$1 billion commitment to reshaping food systems globally, this Centre – alongside our network of sustainable protein hubs – will drive lasting change that meets both environmental sustainability goals and consumer needs.”

The Good Food Institute (GFI) played a key role in partnering with the Bezos Earth Fund to develop its alternative protein strategy. Through its work as a scoping partner, GFI has helped craft the vision for the Bezos Centers for Sustainable Protein.

“With meat demand skyrocketing across the world’s most populous continent, the opportunity for large-scale transformation in Asia’s food supply has never been greater,” said Mirte Gosker, Managing Director of the GFI APAC. “By connecting Singapore’s brightest scientific minds with their counterparts in other global innovation hubs, the Bezos Centre at NUS has the capacity to fully unlock the enormous economic and ecological potential of sustainable proteins.”