Bezos Earth Fund opens sustainable protein centre

The Bezos Earth Fund has announced the opening of the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University, with some $30 million set to be invested in the facility over the next five years.

The fund is seeking to develop the facility into a ‘biomanufacturing hub for dietary proteins that are environmentally friendly, healthy, tasty, and affordable’, with the opening forming part of a $100 million investment in a network of open-access research and development centers focused on sustainable protein alternatives.

Greenhouse gas emissions

“Food production is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s critical we find ways to feed a growing population without degrading the planet,” commented Andrew Steer, president and CEO of the Earth Fund.

“Sustainable protein has tremendous potential but more research is needed to reduce the price and boost the flavour and texture to ensure nutritious, affordable products are available. It’s about choice.”

The centre will engage partners from both the academic and industrial world to research, develop and commercialise new technologies in the field of sustainable protein, the fund added.

Further investment will support funding in three core areas – plant-based products; precision fermentation to produce proteins and nutrients that can be used in food formulations; and cultivated meat grown from animal cells.

Biomanufacturing firms

Both the fund and North Carolina State University believe that the new facility will provide a backdrop for biomanufacturing firms to locate in North Carolina, as well as preparing the workforce for jobs in advanced food technologies.

North Carolina State will work with academic partners N.C. A&T State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Duke University, and Forsyth Tech Community College on the research, workforce development, and community engagement programmes, while ore than 20 industry partners will also be part of the centre.

The Bezos Earth Fund previously pledged $1 billion to help transform food and agricultural systems to support healthy lives without impacting the planet, including efforts to reduce emissions from the livestock industry.

The Bezos Earth fund is the brainchild of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.