Published: 28th August 2024
The James Hutton Institute has announced today (28th August 2024) its role in co-leading a new £38m UK-wide centre which could soon see alternatives to animal proteins made from plants, fungi, algae and meat grown in labs that become a nutritious part our diets and which are also environmentally friendly.
The National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) has received £15m of funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Innovate UK to fund the centre dedicated to developing acceptable and planet-friendly alternatives to animal proteins. The remainder of the funding has come from the centre’s three other partners which include the Universities of Sheffield, Leeds and Imperial College London plus the Hutton.
Animal agriculture is estimated to produce up to a fifth of planet-warming emissions, and with the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the demand for protein is expected to rise significantly. Some sources, such as the UN Environment Programme, estimate meat consumption alone could grow up to 50 per cent by 2050.
Supplementing traditional agriculture with alternative protein sources is critical if we are to meet increasing demands sustainably. Alternative proteins (AP) are derived from sources other than animals and include terrestrial and aquatic plants such as cereals, legumes, tubers and nuts; fungus such as mushrooms; algae such as seaweed; insects; proteins derived via biomass or precision fermentation (e.g. using bacteria), and cultured (or lab-grown) meat. These products also typically have a lower carbon footprint and can be produced with fewer resources.
Over 30 researchers from the four partner institutions and more than 120 NAPIC partners will work closely with industry, regulators, investors, and policymakers to create a vibrant alternative protein innovation ecosystem and produce a clear roadmap for the development of a National Protein Strategy for the UK. Together they will work on four interdisciplinary knowledge pillars: Produce; Process, People and Perform to efficiently and safely translate the groundbreaking new technologies which could unlock the benefits of alternative proteins.
The James Hutton Institute is leading on the PRODUCE pillar of the project. Professor Derek Stewart, Director of the Advanced Plant Growth Centre and lead on the PRODUCE pillar explains more:
“The food system is responsible for around 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions with agriculture and livestock systems in particular underpinning these levels. Reducing these emissions will be difficult, especially given an increasing global population and the impacts of climate change. We need to find more sustainable sources of protein and thankfully there is a huge biodiversity in non-animal sources of protein, and we’ve barely scratched the surface of this. The PRODUCE pillar will be focused on producing tasty, nutritious, safe, and affordable AP foods and feedstocks to safeguard present and future generations, while addressing concerns about ultra-processed foods and assisting a just-transition for producers. It’s a privilege to work with this team to lead the PRODUCE pillar”.
Bridging the gap between the UK’s trailblazing science and innovation in alternative proteins with production power will be key to NAPIC’s success. Those behind the project believe it could be a true catalyst to realising a projected UK growth potential in alternative proteins of £6.8B annually, with 25,000 jobs created across multiple sectors, as predicted by the Environmental Group, Green Alliance in 2023.
The centre will also aim to develop the future leaders of what is a rapidly evolving sector experiencing significant consumer demand. Bespoke technical, entrepreneurial, regulatory and policy training will be offered and NAPIC will also promote the exchange of knowledge through what it describes as an unrivalled international network of partners, including the United Nations.
Find out more by visiting the new NAPIC website.
For more information please contact: Sharon Simpson, Director of Communications, 07857 528757, Sharon.simpson@hutton.ac.uk.
Notes for editors
The James Hutton Institute is Scotland’s pre-eminent interdisciplinary scientific research institute with open science campuses in Invergowrie near Dundee and Aberdeen and a base in Edinburgh. We undertake research at the forefront of transformative science for the sustainable management of land, crop and natural resources that supports thriving rural communities in Scotland and across the globe. As recipients of Scottish, UK and international funding, our research places the UK at the forefront of innovative solutions to pressing global challenges such as food, energy and environmental security whilst also supporting the national economy.
The James Hutton Institute is leading the “PRODUCE” pillar: PROCESS will be led by Professor Karen Polizzi of Imperial College London; “PEOPLE” will be led by Professor Louise Dye of the University of Sheffield and “PERFORM” will be led by Professor Anwesha Sarkar of the University of Leeds:
The PEOPLE pillar aims to deliver a just transition to an AP-rich future and will guide consumers’ dietary transition, focusing on affordability and acceptability, offering benefits for health, identifying new business opportunities for farmers, and future-proofing the UK’s protein supply against reliance on imports.