The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Innovate UK have invested £15 million in the new National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC).
The centre will drive research and innovation, bolstering the alternative proteins sector in the UK. It will turn ideas into reality and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in this rapidly expanding global market.
The NAPIC ambition is far-reaching. Spanning the entire alternative protein supply chain, the centre will foster innovation across a variety of protein sources, from plant-based proteins and lab-grown meats to protein-rich algae.
A global challenge
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.
Indeed, the UN Environment Programme estimates that meat consumption alone could increase by as much as 50% by 2050.
As the global population rises, supplementing traditional agriculture with alternative protein sources is mission critical if we are to meet increasing demands sustainably.
Advancing sustainable food systems
Plant-based proteins, such as soy and peas, and lab-grown meats are excellent sources of alternative protein.
As well as supporting products that offer a more sustainable and resilient approach, they typically have a lower carbon footprint and can be produced with fewer resources.
Crucial investment
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said:
I am pleased to announce the launch of the £15 million national alternative protein innovation centre. This investment positions NAPIC at the forefront of the global ambition to produce the next generation of alternative protein products, services and technologies.
The science and innovation supported by NAPIC will bring together businesses, charities, academic researchers and wider stakeholders to cover the breadth of the alternative proteins industry in the UK and globally, from plant-based protein to new food products created in laboratories.
The UK is at the forefront of the alternative proteins industry which has enabled over £23 million in additional investment and support for NAPIC from businesses, international partners and wider stakeholders.
Security, sustainability and growth
Dr Stella Peace, Executive Director for Healthy Living and Agriculture at Innovate UK, said:
The new national alternative protein innovation centre will advance research and innovation in alternative proteins, strengthening the UK’s leadership in this critical sector and fostering international collaboration to ensure a more sustainable and secure food future for all.
Through our strategic partnership with BBSRC we are enabling UK businesses to collaborate with the UK research base to tackle global challenges like food security and sustainability while driving economic growth.
A robust and responsible solution
Professor Anwesha Sarkar, Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds School of Food Science and Nutrition, and Project Leader for NAPIC, said:
There are many challenges to transitioning towards alternative proteins. Population-level access to and acceptance of alternative proteins is currently hindered by a highly complex marketplace, concerns about taste, nutritional equivalence and cost, as well as health and safety concerns and the fear of diminished livelihoods for farmers.
The national alternative protein innovation centre will provide a robust and sustainable platform for open innovation, responsible data exchange and collaboration with industry, regulators, academic partners and policy makers that mitigate the risks associated with this emerging sector while addressing the short and longer-term concerns of consumers and producers.
Realising the UK’s potential
The centre will nurture collaboration to address a range of research and innovation challenges. From fundamental discovery research and pre-competitive opportunities to proof-of-concept and commercially focused activities, the centre will play a pivotal role in advancing the landscape of alternative proteins in the UK.
According to an analysis by Green Alliance, the UK alternative proteins industry could be worth £6.8 billion a year and create around 25,000 jobs by 2035. The UKRI-funded centre will help the UK realise this potential.
Collaboration critical to success
The centre is a collaboration between researchers at the following research institutions:
- University of Leeds
- The James Hutton Institute
- Imperial College London
- The University of Sheffield
More than 100 UK and international stakeholders are already engaging with NAPIC, which includes small and medium-sized enterprises, multinationals, academia and third sector partners.
These partners have committed £23 million of co-investment and support for NAPIC in addition to UKRI’s £15 million funding.
Looking to the future, the centre is planning to grow further, attracting additional investment and engagement leading to a pipeline of new, alternative proteins.
Funding for the centre commenced in August 2024 and will continue for five years.
This latest investment by BBSRC and Innovate UK supports UKRI’s building a green future strategic theme. Find out more about how UKRI is working with partners to accelerate the green economy and unlock solutions essential to achieving net zero in the UK by 2050.
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