SINGAPORE – The Bezos Earth Fund has announced a significant investment of US$30 million towards the establishment of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
This funding marks a major step in the fund’s broader initiative to reshape global food systems, with a US$1 billion commitment to this cause.
The launch event, which took place early September, featured Mirte Gosker, Managing Director of GFI APAC, as a keynote speaker.
The ceremony was attended by Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is also the Chancellor of NUS.
The new centre in Singapore is part of a global network of Bezos Centres dedicated to addressing challenges in the alternative protein sector.
Similar facilities will be established at Imperial College London and North Carolina State University, creating a triad of research hubs aimed at advancing sustainable protein solutions.
This news comes as the alternative protein market, already experiencing notable growth, is expected to expand significantly.
It was valued at approximately US$73.4 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach US$423 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19%.
This expansion is driven by rising consumer demand and innovations in protein alternatives, including plant-based and microbial proteins.
The shift towards veganism has increased the popularity of plant-derived proteins, such as those from peas, soy, and nuts, while interest in microbial proteins is anticipated to rise during the forecast period.
