About This Project

Demand for protein is growing in emerging economies fastest. Producing cultured protein (CP) is one approach for meeting rising demand. However, most CP production is located in high-income countries, like Singapore. No publicly available study of CP production's feasibility in developing countries exists. This study will assess the barriers and opportunities associated with establishing CP manufacturing in Thailand.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Thailand could potentially be a large CP producer. Thai Union, a leading food company, is partnering with cell-based meat startups. The country is also one of the most cost-competitive locations in the world for manufacturing. The government has launched a bio-economy vision, a part of which is aimed at increasing value-added agricultural production to bolster its economic status.

However, the manufacturing sector faces challenges that could also impede CP. Some high-value ingredients for food and pharmaceutical manufacturing need to be imported since local facilities lack the technology and/or technical support to produce them. If the government and industry can anticipate barriers, then they can direct investment and policy towards surmounting them.

What is the significance of this project?

Export manufacturing has been a key driver of socio-economic development across Southeast Asia and manufacturing CP ingredients or products could be a driver of economic growth and competitiveness in Thailand.

Agriculture employs one-third of the labor force in Thailand. Instead of importing CP from elsewhere, producing it in Thailand would ensure that the jobs remain in the country. Low-wage jobs in emissions-intensive industries like that of automobiles are abundant in Thailand, but CP manufacturing would create more green and potentially higher-paying skilled jobs.

Producing CP could also boost food security and nutrition with less environmental and animal welfare impacts. The findings from this study may also be generalizable towards other emerging economies.

What are the goals of the project?

The Breakthrough Institute and the University of Colorado-Boulder researchers will conduct a literature review, set up and conduct 20-30 interviews with key stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society, and write a whitepaper and journal article to communicate the research and findings. The project will start in the spring of 2022 and take approximately four months to complete. More details on funding and experimental design can be found in this lab note.