ABU Dhabi’s newly launched food and water cluster, AGWA (AgriFood Growth & Water Abundance), has announced that Swiss alternative protein innovation and production specialists NUOS will commence operations in Abu Dhabi, and establish an innovation centre and food manufacturing facilities for alternative protein production, according to reports.
NUOS is the world’s most advanced facility for producing alternative protein at scale and establishes the categoryleading innovation, production and commercialisation ecosystem serving the global markets from Abu Dhabi.
The company’s presence in Abu Dhabi will also play a role in ensuring that the Emirate can capture opportunities in the growing food and water market, which is expected to reach AED77.4 trillion by 2045.
As the planet is facing a global climate crisis, disrupting dependency on animals in the food system is critical to reaching net-zero targets. The food industry accounts for 34% of humanmade GHG emissions globally – the second-largest contributor after energy – and while there are pockets of innovation in alternative proteins, the rate of impact is limited by fragmentation and minimal scale.
Unlocking mass demand
With this partnership, NUOS will be the world-leading independent Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation facility for alternative proteins, able to overcome current limitations by delivering scale, quality, and price-parity with conventional meat products, thus unlocking mass demand at price points and product quality that the mass consumer expects.
Led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), AGWA is set to become a global hub for novel food and ingredients, as well as technologies that increase access to and enable the efficient utilisation of water resources, reported Emirates News Agency – WAM.
This innovative cluster is meticulously designed to support local suppliers and exporters alike, serving as a platform to maximise commercial opportunities. The cluster aims to meet increasing global demand, alleviate pressures on agricultural systems, address shifting dietary patterns, capitalise on technological advancements, and support global food security, ensuring a reliable and resilient supply chain, the report added.
