Asia

RELSUS

© RELSUS
Manufacturing & Technology

New RELSUS Plant in India to Supply Functional Proteins to Europe with Aminola Partnership

Functional plant-based ingredient producer RELSUS has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Ujjain, India, and announced a strategic partnership with Dutch ingredients company Aminola. The agreement includes a European distribution arrangement and capital investment from Aminola to support RELSUS’s expansion. The new commercial facility, launched on March 18, 2025, will manufacture plant proteins and starches using RELSUS’s proprietary Ultra-Precise Filtration™ technology. According to RELSUS, the technology does not rely on solvents or harsh chemicals and allows for the production of ingredients with high purity, functionality, and a neutral sensory profile. Driving global plant protein transition Vineet Singhal, founder and CEO of RELSUS, stated, “Inauguration of this facility is a major milestone in our mission to help drive the global transition to high-quality, clean, and functional …

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hollow fiber cultivated chicken production

© Shoji Takeuchi/The University of Tokyo
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Researchers Develop Hollow Fiber Bioreactor to Improve Cultivated Meat Texture and Scale

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a bioreactor that mimics a circulatory system, improving the production of cultivated meat by ensuring even nutrient and oxygen delivery to tissues. This new approach, published in Trends in Biotechnology, allows the creation of over 10 grams of chicken muscle tissue, addressing key challenges in scaling up cultivated meat production. Hollow fibers for nutrient delivery “We’re using semipermeable hollow fibers, which mimic blood vessels in their ability to deliver nutrients to the tissues,” explains senior author Shoji Takeuchi. These fibers, commonly used in medical applications such as dialysis, can now be adapted for biofabricating tissues. By precisely arranging the hollow fibers, the bioreactor ensures that nutrients and oxygen are uniformly distributed, preventing necrosis in thicker tissues, a …

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Integriculture cultivated duck products

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Cultivated Meat

Japan’s Integriculture Develops Products Made From Cultivated Duck Liver

Japanese cultivated meat company Integriculture has announced the successful development of prototype products made from cultivated duck liver. The products were recently showcased at a sensory evaluation held at the company’s research base, with the aim of evaluating their market potential. Seven prototypes were presented; of these, four were aimed at restaurants and the other three were processed foods. The restaurant prototypes included a citrus dessert with cultivated duck and soy cream, a version of the Indian street snack pani puri, cultivated duck and sweet potatoes in pie crust, and an innovation combining cultivated duck with soy cream, pears, pink peppercorns, and narazuke. The processed products included a foie-gras style delicacy, a spicy blood sausage, and a liver paste containing cultivated duck and cocoa powder. …

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precision fermentation

© Vitaly Borkovsky - stock.adobe.com
Fermentation

NEOM Investment Fund Partners with Liberation Labs to Develop Precision Fermentation Facility in Saudi Arabia

The NEOM Investment Fund (NIF) has entered into a strategic partnership with Liberation Labs, a leader in precision fermentation biomanufacturing. This collaboration will support the development of a precision-fermentation facility in Saudi Arabia, designed to advance food production capabilities in the region. The project aligns with NEOM’s broader goals of establishing itself as a global hub for sustainable, industrial-scale food production. The new facility will be integral to Topian, NEOM’s food-focused company, which is dedicated to innovating food systems to meet global demands while addressing sustainability challenges. The partnership involves the construction of a biomanufacturing plant utilizing precision fermentation, a method that produces essential food ingredients, including high-value proteins, without the need for animal agriculture. Liberation Labs specializes in building purpose-designed facilities for producing basic …

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Biokraft Foods cultivated trout

© Biokraft Foods
Cultivated Seafood

Biokraft Foods Develops “India’s First” Cultivated Trout Fillet in Collaboration with ICAR-CICFR

Indian cultivated meat startup Biokraft Foods has developed what is claimed to be the country’s first cultivated trout fillet in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-CICFR). Through the partnership, the organizations have developed fish cell lines from native Indian species such as rainbow trout. Using proprietary 3D bioprinting technology and bioink, Biokraft Foods transforms the cells into whole-cut cultivated fish that is said to be structurally and nutritionally on par with conventional trout. Trout traditionally has limited availability in India due to geographical and climatic constraints, but Biokraft Foods aims to address cost and accessibility challenges, providing a reliable year-round supply chain. The cultivated trout could also help eliminate reliance on antibiotics and avoid contaminants …

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Nourish Ingredients has unveiled Tastilux, a new animal-free fat

Image courtesy of Nourish Ingredients
Ingredients

Nourish Ingredients Increases Production Capacity by 1700% for Plant-Based Fat

Australian FoodTech company Nourish Ingredients has completed a successful commercial production run of its plant-based fat, Tastilux, in collaboration with its partner, Cabio Biotech of China. The production run marks a significant milestone, as the companies claim to be the first in the industry to achieve commercial-scale validation of a plant-based fat with a low cost of production. Nourish Ingredients’ chief technical officer, Anna El Tahchy, described the achievement as a “breakthrough” for the company, as reported by Food & Drink Business. The company has now increased its production capacity by 1700%, meeting the demand for 170,000 tons of end product. This leap in scale has been made possible by the low inclusion rates required for Tastilux, a key factor in its cost-efficiency. Flavor stability …

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© INTAKE
Investments & Finance

South Korea’s INTAKE Secures $9.2M for Alt Proteins Made With Yeast-Based Precision Fermentation

INTAKE, a South Korean food tech company using yeast-based precision fermentation to produce alternative proteins, has raised KRW 13.5 billion (US$9.2 million) in Series C funding. The round was led by CJ Investment, HB Investment, Woori Venture Partners, KDB Industrial Bank Capital, J Curve Investment, and Wonik Investment Partners. INTAKE plans to use the funding for R&D and global infrastructure expansion for its microbial-based alternative protein business. Super-protein yeast strain INTAKE uses precision fermentation-based yeast cultivation to produce protein powders, which serve as a foundation for alternatives to meat, dairy, and eggs. By taking naturally occurring yeast from domestically grown grapes and enhancing it through adaptive evolution, the company has developed a super-protein yeast strain said to contain 1.5 times more protein than conventional yeast. …

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PoLoPo potatoes

© PoLoPo
Protein

PoLoPo Develops Pilot Plant for Converting Bioengineered Potatoes into Protein Powder

PoLoPo, a company specializing in molecular farming, has completed the design of its first pilot-scale facility for processing genetically modified potatoes into functional protein powders for food industry applications. The announcement follows a five-ton harvest of protein-enriched potatoes, produced during a recent field trial. The company transitioned from greenhouse operations to open-field cultivation at the end of last year, increasing its production capacity from tens of kilograms to approximately three tons per harvest. The most recent harvest exceeded this figure, yielding five tons of protein-rich potatoes. In parallel with the field trial, PoLoPo also expanded its laboratory capacity to meet increased demand for protein sample testing. The facility design was developed in partnership with engineering consultancy NIRAS, which has experience in infrastructure, green energy, and …

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ClearMeat partners with NIFTEM

Image: ClearMeat on LinkedIn
Cultivated Meat

Indian Cultivated Meat Company ClearMeat Partners With Academic Institution NIFTEM to Scale Food Tech Innovation

Indian cultivated meat company ClearMeat has announced a collaboration with the country’s National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K). According to a LinkedIn post, ClearMeat recently hosted a productive meeting with the Head of NIFTEM, Mr. Harinder Oberoi, at the institute’s headquarters. This marked the start of an official partnership that will combine the expertise and resources of the two organisations as they work to scale innovation within the biotech and foodtech segments. NIFTEM operates under the Indian government’s Ministry of Food Processing Industries, supporting research and education within the food processing sector. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Oberoi for his unwavering trust in our brand and his commitment to standing in solidarity with our mission to revolutionize the cultivated …

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Hoxton Farms

© Hoxton Farms
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Hoxton Farms and Sumitomo Target Asia’s Health Crisis with Cultivated Pork Fat

Hoxton Farms and Sumitomo Corporation have formed a strategic partnership to bring Hoxton Fat, a cultivated pork fat, to the Asia-Pacific market. This collaboration will focus on addressing public health and food security challenges in the region through innovative food ingredients. The partnership with Sumitomo Corporation will leverage the latter’s expertise in agri-food and supply chain management to facilitate the introduction of Hoxton Fat to food manufacturers across Asia. The two companies will also work closely with food safety regulators, including the Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture (JACA), to ensure the ingredient meets regulatory standards prior to commercialization. Max Jamilly, CEO of Hoxton Farms, commented on the partnership: “Sumitomo’s established network and expertise are key to bringing our cultivated fat to Asia, where we see …

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© Redefine Meat
Sustainability / Environment

Report Says Non-Animal Proteins Are Critical to Achieving Israel’s Food Security by 2050

A report by the Samuel Neaman Institute has described non-animal proteins — including legumes, plant-based meat, and cultivated products — as critical to achieving food security for Israel by 2050. The authors outline the challenges posed by population growth and environmental issues, noting that Israel has a low self-sufficiency ratio in food groups such as cereals, legumes, and nuts. This increases the country’s reliance on imports and its vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions. Consequently, boosting domestic production of non-animal proteins could enhance Israel’s resilience to geopolitical and economic uncertainties, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of producing and importing animal products. Greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption could all be significantly decreased. The report suggests aligning the Israeli diet with Mediterranean diet …

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Melhoramentos compostable packaging

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Packaging

Melhoramentos Expands Stake in W-Cycle’s Compostable Packaging That Survives -40°C to 220°C

Brazilian forestry and publishing company Melhoramentos has increased its investment in Israeli clean-tech firm W-Cycle, extending a partnership focused on the production of compostable, plastic-free food containers. The move follows an initial strategic investment of $3.4 million in November 2024, which granted Melhoramentos exclusive distribution rights for W-Cycle’s molded fiber packaging products across Latin America. The ongoing collaboration involves the integration of cellulose fibers from Melhoramentos’ 80 million square meters of sustainably managed forests into W-Cycle’s food-grade packaging formulations. This shift repurposes a portion of Melhoramentos’ pulp output—traditionally used in paper and cardboard—toward the production of molded fiber containers designed for food contact. W-Cycle has developed SupraPulp™, a proprietary cellulose-based material that enables the manufacturing of compostable trays and containers. These products are engineered to …

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Aleph Farms steak

© Aleph Farms
Investments & Finance

Aleph Farms Accelerates Global Growth with $29M to Expand Production and Improve Efficiency

Israeli cultivated meat producer Aleph Farms has raised $29 million in a funding round to expand production capacity and implement a revised biomanufacturing process. The round includes $22 million through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) and an additional $7 million from existing investors. The company expects to raise a further $10–15 million in the coming months as part of the same round. The capital will support the expansion of Aleph’s pilot facility in Rehovot, Israel, and the development of intermediate-scale production sites in Europe and Asia. These new facilities are intended to operate under the company’s updated ‘1.2’ production platform, which combines cell proliferation and differentiation in a single bioreactor. The updated method removes the need for scaffolding and a secondary tissue bioreactor, …

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The Brevel team

The Brevel team. © Aviram Waldman
Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

Brevel Expands Seed Round to $25M to Accelerate Commercialization of Microalgae Proteins

Climate food tech company Brevel has secured over $5 million in a seed extension up-round, taking the total amount of seed funding it has raised to $25 million. The capital will be used to develop microalgae proteins for food and beverage applications and accelerate the commercialization of the company’s products. The extension is based on exercises of warrants investors were granted in the initial closing of the seed round in June 2023. Notable investors who decided to increase their share in the company include NevaTeam Partners, Siddhi Capital, the European Union’s EIC Fund, Good Protein Fund, The Food Tech Lab, and PVS Investments. Additionally, several new investors were granted access to the extension under the same terms. With the help of the funding, Brevel will …

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Simple Planet medium

© Simple Planet
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Simple Planet Moves Closer to Halal Certification with New Serum-Free Technology

Seoul-based startup Simple Planet announced the will pursue Halal certification for its cell-based food products, as part of its strategy to tap into the global Halal market. This initiative comes on the heels of a recent collaboration with the Halal Science Center (HSC) at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last month. The partnership hopes to facilitate the certification process for cell-based products and expand their reach in Halal markets worldwide. Development of serum-free culture medium In addition to this collaboration, Simple Planet has developed an edible, serum-free culture medium using probiotics-derived metabolites, which is seen as a critical step toward meeting Halal certification requirements. Probiotics-derived metabolites are naturally free from Haram substances, making them a suitable and permissible …

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Peet's Coffee

© Peet's Coffee
Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Peet’s Coffee Removes Plant-Based Milk Surcharge Following PETA and Paul McCartney Push

Peet’s Coffee will no longer charge an extra fee for plant-based milks, following pressure from animal rights group PETA and public support from Sir Paul McCartney. The announcement comes after PETA launched a national campaign urging the coffee chain to stop penalizing customers who opt for vegan milks, such as almond, oat, and pea-based varieties, instead of traditional cow’s milk. Peet’s currently charges at least 80 cents more for plant milks, a practice that PETA has criticized for contributing to environmental damage and animal welfare concerns, including the separation of mother cows from their calves. PETA’s campaign included a social media blitz, targeted billboards near Peet’s locations, and protests. The group argued that the upcharge on plant-based milks was inconsistent with Peet’s stated commitment to …

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PoLoPo team

© PoLoPo
Plant Cell Cultivation

PoLoPo Expands Lab Capacity, Completes Successful Outdoor Field Trial of Protein-Producing Potatoes

PoLoPo, a company specializing in molecular farming, has announced two key developments: a successful field trial producing five tons of protein-rich potatoes and the expansion of its lab capabilities to meet growing demand for protein samples. The company’s trial, which exceeded initial expectations by yielding approximately five tons of potatoes—two tons more than anticipated—marks a significant milestone in its efforts to scale production of functional proteins. These potatoes are engineered to contain both ovalbumin and patatin, a protein native to the plant. Despite being genetically engineered, the protein powder derived from these potatoes contains no genetic material and is classified as non-GMO. In addition to the field trial success, PoLoPo has upgraded its laboratory facilities, enabling it to supply hundreds of grams of protein powders …

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TissenBio Farms

© TissenBio Farms
Investments & Finance

South Korea Invests $10M in New Cultivated Meat Research Center

South Korea is investing US$10 million (₩14.5 billion) in the construction of a new cultivated meat research center in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province. This includes around $3.6 million in state funding, with the remainder provided by the county and province. The capital will be deployed over a three-year period extending from 2025 until the expected completion of the facility in 2027. Claimed to be the first of its kind in the country, the three-floor center will span 2,663 square meters, providing resources to help companies with research, regulatory approval, and commercialization. This will include infrastructure for mass cultivation, prototype production, and full-cycle industrialization. There are plans for the facility to build a system capable of producing up to 100 kilograms of cultivated meat per …

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Meatable hires meat industry veterans

Image courtesy of Meatable
People

Meatable Hires Two Meat Industry Veterans in Strategic Move

Dutch cultivated meat company Meatable has strengthened its ties to the meat industry through the strategic hiring of two industry veterans. Maiko van der Meer is Meatable’s new Director of Commerce and will be based in the Netherlands. He has extensive experience in the meat, fish, poultry and plant-based industries, having led efforts at MOWI, Vion Food Group, 2 Sisters Food Group, and Tyson Foods. He began his new role on March 1. Eugene Leong has been appointed as Meatable’s new Head of Asia, based in Singapore. He has more than 25 years of business experience in flavors and food ingredients, most recently at McCormick and Cargill. Leong will join Meatable on May 5, helping to expand the company’s footprint in the Asian market. The …

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Mycelium bacon on a plate - CellX unveils its mycelium fermentation programme

Image courtesy of CellX
Politics & Law

New Chinese Government Documents Indicate Support for Alternative Proteins & Novel Foods

Two new documents released ahead of the Chinese government’s annual Two Sessions Summit have raised hopes of increased support for alternative proteins in the country. As reported by GFI APAC, the first document is an official notice from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs outlining “Key Areas of National Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation” for 2024-2028. It identifies agricultural processing and food manufacturing as a priority, including research into novel foods to “create a new generation of food to meet new scenarios and special needs”. The document also mentions the importance of agricultural product quality and safety, including studies to assess the safety and nutritional efficacy of alternative proteins and other novel resources. This could potentially accelerate the development of a regulatory approval framework …

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