Leading Swiss alternative protein innovation specialist NUOS has entered into a deal with Agwa (AgriFood Growth & Water Abundance) for setting up the world's leading alternative production facility in Abu Dhabi with a 1m tonne capacity.

 

Agwa, Abu Dhabi’s newly launched food and water cluster, said as per the deal, NUOS will create its new headquartersdn Abu Dhabi, to leverage 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 be a central innovation, production and commercialisation hub to facilitate and manage its major projects.

 

The Swiss 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, it stated.

 

The food industry accounts for 34% of human made 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, it added.

 

Badr Al Olama, Director General at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), said: "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. Importantly, this development sends a strong vote of confidence about Abu Dhabi’s intent to be an influential global player in sustainable food solutions, where the Emirate is openly embracing a future for food characterised by innovations that deliver impact," he stated.

 

The new company will collaborate with Abu Dhabi-based research and development institutes in areas related to innovative and sustainable food technologies. 

 

Additionally, it seeks to form partnerships with Abu Dhabi based universities to build local talent capabilities related to innovative and sustainable food technologies, it stated. 

 

Bjoern Witte, Chairman of NUOS, said: "NUOS AG was created to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system. Foundational to achieving this goal is creating a giga factory for alternative protein that can meet the global consumer demands for high quality meat alternative products at competitive prices."

 

"For the launch of our first giga facility, we have been looking for the right partner who shares the vision, mission and has the ecosystem to drive a global transition," he stated.

 

"Amongst all of the nations’ proposals NUOS received, it was clear from the outset that Abu Dhabi would be the natural partner. Through a combination of their vision, commitment, local infrastructure and long term partnership appetite we felt that we could accelerate this transition to a sustainable food system together, and create the gold standard for the food industry globally," he added.