Thailand

Simple Planet signs MoU with Halal Science Center Chulalongkorn University

Image: Simple Planet on LinkedIn
Company News

Simple Planet Plans to Achieve Halal Certification After Signing MoU With Halal Science Center Chulalongkorn University

South Korean biotech startup Simple Planet has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Halal Science Center at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University. Through the partnership, Simple Planet and the Center will conduct joint halal science and technology research. They will also share laboratory and human resources, organizing joint academic activities such as conferences and seminars in halal science and technology. The collaboration signifies Simple Planet’s commitment to establishing halal Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production facilities and achieving halalcertification for its cultivated functional food ingredients. The project aims to ensure that cultivated products will be accessible to the world’s global Muslim population, which includes over 1.9 billion people. “Simple Planet is committed to becoming the first biotech startup to integrate halal standards into the rapidly evolving …

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Israel's Aleph Farms has submitted a regulatory approval application to sell its cultivated beef products in Thailand, marking the country's first application for cultivated meat.

© Aleph Farms
Cultivated Meat

Aleph Farms Submits Thailand’s First Cultivated Meat Application, Eyes 2026 Market Launch

Israel’s Aleph Farms has submitted a regulatory approval application to sell its cultivated beef products in Thailand, marking the country’s first application for a cultivated meat product. The safety dossier was filed to the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) under the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for novel foods. While timelines can be uncertain, a novel food regulatory process can take around 18 months, which means the regulatory green light could arrive mid-2026. Upon receiving approval, Aleph Farms plans to sell its flagship product, the Petit Steak, under the Aleph Cuts brand with partner and investor Thai Union, a global leader in animal protein. Co-founder and CEO Didier Toubia shares, “Like many of its neighboring countries, Thailand currently imports the majority …

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(L) Chayadhorn Taepaisitphongse, Managing Director of Betagro Ventures and Jeff "Trip" Tripician, CEO of Meatable

(L) Chayadhorn Taepaisitphongse and Jeff Tripician © Meatable
Investments & Finance

Thailand’s Leading Meat Company Betagro Invests in Meatable to Fuel Asian Expansion

Dutch cultivated meat company Meatable announces it has received a strategic investment from Betagro Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Betagro, a major agri-industrial and food company based in Thailand, producing and distributing meat (chicken and pork) and animal feed. The news comes six months after Meatable onboarded meat industry veteran Jeff Tripitcian, with over 25 years of experience in the American meat industry with roles including president of Perdue. At the same time, Dean Banks, former president and CEO of Tyson Foods, joined the Board of Directors. The investment will help accelerate Meatable’s growth and market presence in Asia beyond Singapore, a region with a growing demand for meat that needs sustainable, scalable alternatives to animal farming. The collaboration also anticipates opportunities for …

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Let's Plant Meat

© Let's Plant Meat
Studies & Numbers

Report: Thailand Could Add Millions of Jobs & Billions of Dollars of Economic Value with 50% Plant-Based Shift

As Southeast Asia’s leading protein producer and the only country in the region that exports more protein than it imports, Thailand has the experience and expertise to become a global hub of sustainable proteins. The benefits will be enormous if the country realizes its potential and replaces half of its meat and seafood production with plant-based proteins by 2050: it could create more than a million additional jobs, add billions of dollars of economic value to its economy, and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by millions of tons per year. These statements are from a new report — “Kitchen of the Future” — commissioned by Madre Brava, a US environmental group raising awareness about the impacts of animal agriculture on the planet, and produced by …

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Aleph Farms hosted its first cultivated beef tasting in Thailand, marking a significant regional milestone.

© Aleph Farms
Cultivated Meat

Ahead of Thai Market Launch, Aleph Farms Gathers Chef Feedback on Cultivated Beef Steaks

Aleph Farms recently hosted a chef evaluation in Thailand for its cultivated beef steaks, Aleph Cuts, to gather insights from experts as it prepares to introduce a product in the country. After conducting workshops with chefs to meet local culinary preferences, the “world’s first cultivated beef steaks,” were presented to local food industry professionals in Bangkok. The initiative also received media attention from the Associated Press (AP), which covered the tasting in a video. Amir Ilan, resident chef at Aleph Farms, grilled two thin, seasoned cuts for a taster dish in front of the attendees. AP described the scene as filled with the aroma of cooked meat, while the cultivated beef generated positive reactions for its taste. Thomtanut Hatayodom, founder of Thai food chain Easy! Buddy, …

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Let's Plant Meat

© Let's Plant Meat
Politics & Law

Thailand Releases Policy Roadmap to Become Global Hub for Plant-Based Proteins

Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) at the Ministry of Commerce has developed a roadmap to transform the country into a hub for the global plant-based market. The former Ministry of Commerce announced last month that Thailand aims to become a world leader in producing high-protein plant-based ingredients, tapping into the worldwide trend of plant-based diets. The newly appointed Minister, Pichai Naripthaphani, will continue his predecessor’s plans to make the country a leader and accelerate future food exports, including plant proteins such as wheat, sorghum, barley, and corn. From agricultural products to raw materials to food TPSO states that the country must advance in various areas to become a hub. Based on a study of the country’s plant-based food industry to assess its potential, opportunities, …

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Let's Plant Meat

© Let's Plant Meat
Politics & Law

Thailand Proposes New Labeling Restrictions for Plant-Based Products

Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration has drafted new regulations that could impose labeling restrictions on plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. Under the proposed legislation, plant-based companies will still be able to use terms that indicate the shape of the product, such as “mince”, “sausages”, and even “bacon”.  However, they will need to clearly specify that the products are plant-based. The term “meat” will not be allowed, and neither will names for specific types or grades of meat (such as “pork”, “chicken”, or “wagyu”). Using images of farm animals, or any marking that is deemed to imply the product is of animal origin, will also be prohibited. For dairy alternatives, descriptions such as “soy milk” or “almond milk” will be permitted, but terms that are said …

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Pineapple-based leather alternative

Credit: Sustainability (2023). DOI: 10.3390/su152115400
Leather Alternatives

Researchers Develop Plastic-Free Pineapple-Based Leather Alternative With Higher Strength Than PU

Scientists at Thailand’s Mahidol University have developed a new pineapple-based leather alternative that is claimed to have excellent strength and sustainability properties. The bio-based material is made by mechanically extracting pineapple leaf fibers from waste pineapple leaves. These fibers are divided into two groups; some are treated with sodium hydroxide, while others are left untreated. The fibers then are formed into non-woven sheets and coated with compounded natural rubber latex, before being heat-treated and compressed. The material can be dyed with natural colorings such as carrot, spent Thai red tea, and spent coffee grounds. Following the development of the pineapple leather, a study published in the journal Sustainability has analyzed its tensile properties, tear strength, and hardness. The results indicate that the material’s tensile strength …

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Let's Plant Meat received Thai Prime Minister's Export Award

© Let's Plant Meat
Market & Trends

Thailand Anticipates Rise in Future Food Exports, Driven by Health & Sustainability Concerns

Thailand is aiming for a 2-5% rise in future food exports in 2024, as the global economy recovers and interest in health and sustainability continues to increase worldwide. According to the Bangkok Post, Thai future food exports reached 143 billion baht last year, making up 9% of all food exports. Functional foods and ingredients accounted for the largest share of this figure at 128 billion baht, while alternative proteins were valued at 6.3 billion baht. Medical, personalized, and organic foods made up the remainder. By 2027, Thailand is aiming for future food exports to reach 350 billion baht according to NXPO (Thailand’s Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council). Future foods hub A report published last year found that the USA …

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Thailand plant-based meat manufacturing

Image: PTT Public Company
Manufacturing & Technology

Plant & Bean Opens New Plant-Based Meat Facility in Thailand

In 2021, Innobic (the life sciences arm of Thai state-owned energy company PTT) joined forces with plant-based food importer Nove Foods to form a joint venture called Nutra Regenerative Protein Co (NRPT). The new company then made an agreement with the UK’s Plant & Bean to establish a plant-based meat facility in Ayutthaya, with NRPT providing 51% of the investment and Plant & Bean providing the remaining 49%. The facility — which has a production capacity of 25,000 tons and is claimed to be Thailand’s first dedicated plant protein factory — appears to have recently opened. Plant & Bean Thailand told the Bangkok Post that it had already been approached by several food companies interested in collaborations, including US fast food chain Texas Chicken. The …

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Aleph Farms meat on dressed table

© Aleph Farms
Cultivated Meat

Aleph Farms Partners with Biomanufacturing Experts to Build Large-Scale Cultivated Meat Facility in Thailand

Cultivated beef company Aleph Farms has partnered with biomanufacturing experts BBGI and Fermbox Bio to produce cultivated meat at Thailand’s first production plant for cellular agriculture applications. Through the partnership, the companies aim to advance the development and production of cultivated meat in the region by focusing on production enhancement, cost optimization, and operational scale-up. BBGI is a Bio-Based Green Innovation company that manufactures and distributes bio-based fuel and high-value and well-being products. Fermbox Bio is a synthetic biology research and manufacturing company leveraging microbial fermentation and synthetic biology to create sustainable products, including cell media ingredients. Both companies have extensive experience in large-scale biomanufacturing design and operation.  “We are excited to be part of this partnership — bringing together people and companies from across the world with …

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Smith, founder of Let's Eat Plants, with Prime Minister's award

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Company News

Let’s Plant Meat Receives Prestigious Thai Prime Minister’s Export Award

Thailand-based alt meat brand Let’s Plant Meat has received the prestigious Prime Minister’s Export Award in the Best Thai Brand category. Mr. Smith Taweelerdniti, CEO of Let’s Plant Meat and Managing Director of its parent company, Nithi Foods, received the award in person from Prime Minister Mr. Srettha Thavisin. The award ceremony took place on November 9 at the Government House of Thailand. The Prime Minister’s Export Award was established in 1992 and recognizes outstanding Thai exporters. Let’s Plant Meat has received the accolade for exporting its plant-based meat products to several Asian countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, and Hong Kong. “I am honored and excited for the PM Export Award because now plant-based meat alternatives, which are good …

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Wen Day Thailand group shot

Image courtesy of Let's Plant Meat
Charity & Campaigns

Groundbreaking “Wen Day on Wednesday” Campaign Will Promote Future Foods in Thailand

The Thai Future Food Trade Association has joined forces with its members and Informa Markets Thailand to launch a campaign called “Wen Day on Wednesday”. In the Thai language, “wen” means “avoid” or “skip”. Inspired by Meatless Monday, the campaign aims to encourage Thai consumers and food service operators — including schools, hotels, and hospitals — to offer future foods every Wednesday. According to the Thai Future Food Trade Association, Thailand has numerous companies innovating in this area, helping to meet demand both domestically and abroad. The country is said to be working to become a global leader in the future foods sector, but this will require the consumption of these products to increase significantly. Numerous future food brands have supported the launch of Wen …

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© Kindness
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Thai Startup Kindness Exports to 25+ Countries With 4000t Annual Output

Kindness is a plant-based food tech startup based in Thailand, with a fun tagline, “Let’s go Beyond the Impossible,” tipping its hat to its biggest international peers. Kindness offers ready plant-based formulas and product development and plant protein consultancy to brands and manufacturers that “desire to innovate within the vegan protein space.” With 30 years of combined experience in plant-based food production, Kindness claims its R&D team has developed 300-ready formulas using soy, wheat, konjac, and pea protein, which other companies can leverage to expand their current CPG offer or develop innovative products. A non-animal-derived diet Founded by Mike Yang, the Thai startup aims to develop high-quality, plant-based foods at a competitive cost to propel consumers’ adoption of a non-animal-derived diet. With the brand’s plant-based formulas, …

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range of vegan cheeses made by sweets

© Swees Plant-Based Foods
Manufacturing & Technology

Swees to Open “Thailand’s First” Fully Vegan Cheese Factory

Thai vegan cheese startup Swees has announced it will soon open what it claims is Thailand’s first fully vegan cheese factory. The Chiang Mai-based company has also revealed it is preparing for a seed funding round, which will launch on November 1. The new facility will open in early 2023, enabling higher production volumes that will allow Swees to expand into the local market and initiate its first product exports in the APAC region. “The opening of the plant-based cheese factory in Thailand is historical in all ramifications, as it is designed as a sustainable new production facility to produce vegan cheese for Thailand and save the environment. Studies reveal that plant-based cheese releases 80% fewer CO2 emissions compared to dairy cheese,” said founder Nicolas …

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Pete Speranza, Sarno brothers

© Wicked Kitchen/Good Catch
Investments & Acquisitions

Wicked Kitchen Raises $20M From Investors Including Woody Harrelson

Wicked Kitchen announces today that it has raised $20 million from investors including actor Woody Harrelson, and reports that it has more than tripled its YOY sales growth.   Today’s news comes three weeks after the announcement that Wicked, established by Derek and Chad Sarno, has acquired plant-based seafood company Good Catch — also founded by the Sarno brothers — expanding the company’s multi-category range to include the Good Catch portfolio of frozen and ambient vegan seafood products. New investors include Ahimsa VC of India, NRPT of Thailand (where Wicked is set to introduce 17 products), as well as actor Woody Harrelson. Harrelson, a vegan advocate, invested in Good Catch back in 2020, and also participated in a Series A round for Orange County vegan …

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Meat Zero products

©Meat Zero

Company News

Thai Meat Giant CP Foods Wins Award for Plant-Based MEAT ZERO Products

Thailand-based meat giant CP Foods has received Superior Taste Awards for two of its plant-based MEAT ZERO products — Nuggets and Garlic & Herb Patties. The awards were held in Brussels, Belgium, featuring a jury of over 200 industry experts. The patties received one star, rated as Notable, while the nuggets were awarded three stars, meaning Exceptional. This is the first year CP Foods has been successful at the awards. MEAT ZERO products are made from pea, wheat, and corn, with high-moisture extrusion used to replicate the fibrous texture of meat. CP Foods says that the nuggets are indistinguishable from conventional chicken nuggets, while the patties are ideal for making katsu burgers. CP Foods and alt-protein After selling over four million units in Thailand, MEAT …

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V Foods

© V Foods
Products & Launches

V Foods Shuns Alt Meat for Whole Veggie Range in Thailand 

Thai plant-based producer V Foods has launched a new range of vegetable whole foods products, focusing on health and convenience rather than meat alternatives. Called the 100% Whole Veggie Bites range, the Thai brand is looking to focus on the appeal of whole foods to draw in consumers still skeptical of the plant-based movement.  Noting the impressive growth of the alt protein market in Thailand, V Foods has identified a gap in the sector for a health-focused range. The brand, known for its V Farm corn-based products, has noted increasing numbers of plant-based fast food products filling the Thai market – burgers and nuggets, for example – driving down costs but offering fewer health benefits to consumers.  The plant-based food and beverage producer V Foods …

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More Meat

© More Meat
Facts & Figures

More Meat: Thai Meat Alternatives Made From Locally-Grown Mushrooms

More Meat is a Thai company making alt-meat products from splitgill mushrooms, a variety that grows on rubber trees in the country’s plantations. The splitgill mushroom has a meaty flavour and texture with little need for seasonings. Despite this, it is rarely used as a food ingredient. More Meat has set out to change this with two alt-meat products — mince and larb tord (spiced Thai meatballs). The company is also planning to launch a range of ready meals. Additive-free alt-meat While meat alternatives created for the Western market are usually pre-seasoned, many Thai consumers prefer to add their own seasonings, which are likely to vary according to the dish. Additionally, Thai consumers are increasingly looking for products free of additives. To cater to this, …

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Interviews

Let’s Plant Meat: “We Saw a 10X Jump in Daily Searches for “Vegan” and “Plant-Based Meat” in Thailand”

Thailand’s Let’s Plant Meat has been at the forefront of the burgeoning plant-based industry in the country since its inception, producing vegan meat alternatives such as burgers, mince, and katsu with locally grown ingredients.  A former winner of Future Food Asia’s Plant Protein award, Let’s Plant Meat products can be found in multiple retail locations across the country, at far lower prices than the imported alt meats of its rivals. With several multinationals now becoming prevalent in Thailand’s plant-based sector, vegconomist spoke with Smith Taweelerdniti, CEO of Let’s Plant Meat, to find out what comes next for the rapidly growing brand. Can you give us a brief background on your journey into the plant-based world? I am the Managing Director of Nithi Foods, a producer …

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