Sustainability Hub

Agrifood

With only 1% of land available for food production, Singapore relies on imports for 90% of its food supply. To meet the goal of producing 30% of the nation's nutritional needs locally by 2030, Singapore enterprises must embrace agrifood tech innovation. Technologies that enhance agri-inputs and resource efficiency for highly productive urban farming systems in agriculture and aquaculture, together with innovations in alternative proteins, food side stream valorisation and solutions to enhance food safety can pave the way for sustainable and resilient food systems, contributing to long-term food security for Singapore. 

Through the integration of agrifood tech innovation in Singapore, businesses can optimise processes and reduce waste, driving the shift towards a more sustainable food ecosystem. By focusing on food waste valorisation and other transformative agrifood technologies, Singapore can unlock new opportunities in resource efficiency and food production.

Discover IPI’s curated list of agrifood tech solutions, including food waste valorisation, as we aim to strengthen Singapore's food security, ensuring resilience in the food supply chain while promoting sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.  

Sustainable Bio-based Material from Agricultural Side Streams
Agricultural, organic and fruit-based side streams constitute approximately 85% of the total industrial food wastage. In most cases, these substantial side-streams are converted into pelletised bran for animal feeds while those not suited for consumption are disposed of through landfilling or incineration. These practices contribute significantly to carbon emissions, releasing toxins, greenhouse gases, and pollutants that are harmful to the local air quality. The technology on offer provides opportunities to repurpose agricultural and primary production side streams, as well as by-products from manufacturing and fruit-based processing through mechanical methods. The side streams are pre-treated through drying, grinding and cutting into manageable sizes prior to transforming them into a source of functional compounds to create green value-added products such as bio-composite materials, growing media, eco-friendly remedies, or sustainable packaging products. Made with natural bio-compatible and green ingredients, it can be applied to various types of side streams and can be broken down for reuse as feedstock when it no longer meets its application requirement. This technology provider is actively seeking R&D co-development and out-licensing of the developed IP to companies looking to produce and develop new products/applications using bio-composite materials derived from organic waste.
Cost-effective Feed Formulation for Malabar Snapper (Lutjanus Malabaricus)
The Malabar snapper (Lutjanus malabricus) is a highly sought-after carnivorous fish species, extensively cultured in Singapore and the Indo-Pacific region. Despite its aquaculture significance, no commercial feeds specifically designed to meet its nutritional requirements are available. Instead, production relies on generic diets, which are not cost-effective nor optimized for Malabar snapper’s growth and well-being. This existing practice not only drives up feed costs but also hampers productivity and increases the species' vulnerability to diseases. To address these challenges, a tailored feed formulation for Malabar snapper has been developed to minimize reliance on fish meal by incorporating cost-effective, locally sourced alternative protein ingredients. This innovative approach is designed to optimize growth performance, enhance nutrient utilization, and strengthen health outcomes in Malabar snapper aquaculture.
A Cost-Effective, Plant-based Collagen Precursor for Skin Vitality and Immune Defense
Collagen is the body's most abundant protein, making up 25-35% of all proteins. It's a vital component of connective tissues in skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Primarily composed of amino acids—30% glycine, 20% proline, and 10% hydroxyproline—collagen's unique triple-helix structure delivers exceptional strength, elasticity, and flexibility. It supports skin, nail, and hair health, boosts bone density, reduces osteoporosis risk, and enhances gut health. Common sources of collagen include meat, bone broth, fish, gelatin, and dairy. However, traditional collagen products often rely on animal or marine sources, using harsh chemical extraction methods that risk contamination, pose health hazards, and contribute to environmental destruction through waste and animal cruelty. This plant-based collagen precursor powder offers a clean, functional, sustainable, eco-friendly alternative (no e number ingredients). The formulation is enriched with amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, vital for collagen synthesis and stability, supporting muscle structure, and reducing collagen breakdown. Rigorously tested for functionality and safety, it avoids harmful chemicals and animal exploitation, significantly reducing environmental impact. The technology owner seeks to work with the OEMs of FMCG/CPGs to incorporate the functional blend in varied foods.
Upcycled Nutritious High Protein Powder From Fish
This protein powder is packed with high protein and calcium. Rich in umami taste, this protein powder is an effective natural flavour enhancer, suitable to be incorporated into any kind of foods for more nutritious meals. The protein powder is sustainably sourced and produced from minced fish by-products from the surimi process.  The technology is at pilot scale and is ready for commercial scale up. With an environmentally friendly technology process, the powder is promoting zero waste strategies and SDGs No. 2, 3 ,11, 12 and 13. The technology provider is seeking for collaborators to co-develop and apply the powder into various other products.
Cross Platform Web-Based Remote Monitoring and Control Solution
This software platform is a revolutionary remote monitoring and control system designed to address several critical challenges faced by various industries. Problem Solved:  Centralized Monitoring: Many customers struggle with the lack of a unified platform for real-time monitoring of devices, leading to reliance on manual interventions and multiple scattered tools. The software consolidates the management of IoT devices across diverse locations into a single interface, streamlining operations.                        Data Analysis Challenges: Businesses often find it difficult to extract meaningful insights from collected data due to time-consuming manual analysis. The software automates this process, enabling users to interpret trends and identify potential issues effortlessly.  Data Visualization and Alerts: Users frequently lack intuitive interfaces for visualizing device data or receiving timely notifications. The software provides customizable dashboards and configurable alerts, allowing proactive management of potential problems. Target Market: The software platform caters to a wide range of sectors including facility management (monitoring HVAC, lighting, energy consumption), industrial operations (predictive maintenance), agriculture (environmental monitoring), and smart cities (traffic flow and air quality). Market Need: The technology addresses a significant gap in the marketplace by offering an integrated solution that enhances efficiency, reduces operational costs, and improves decision-making through advanced data visualization and automation. This software positions as a valuable asset for organizations seeking to optimize their monitoring processes and resource management. The technology owner is seeking collaboration with system integrators, facility management teams, IoT companies, and startups.
Innovative Nutraceutical From Coffee Cherries
Coffee cherry is the fruit that encompasses the coffee beans. It is usually discarded after the extraction of coffee beans. The team has deployed advanced scientific methods to develop a nutraceutical product derived from coffee cherry. The technology is a sustainable process where minimal byproducts and greenhouse gases are produced. Clinically tested to be food safe and with high bio-efficacy, the nutraceutical being rich in antioxidants, promotes healthy high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, supports cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and metabolic disorders. Additionally, it improves blood circulation, reduces oxidative stress, and enhances overall metabolic function. This innovation not only promotes human health but also contributes to environmental sustainability, making it a powerful solution for health conscious consumers coupled with ecofriendly production. The technology provider would like to license the technology to collaborate with food and beverage manufacturers and to work with institute of higher learning to research on other bioactive compounds found in coffee cherries.
Low-Cost Purple Phototrophic Bacteria For Crop Growth and Aqua Feed Additive
Side stream valorisation in sectors such as food and beverage manufacturing has gained substantial interest over the years. These waste streams, particularly the liquid fraction, are rich in nutrients and organics that can be converted into value-added products through suitable bioprocesses. One promising product is purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) — a metabolically diverse group of proteobacteria containing bacteriochlorophyll a and b. Due to their versatile metabolic pathways, PPB can effectively remove pollutants from various wastewater streams, even under stressful conditions. Their light-driven metabolism and hormone-secreting abilities also make them excellent bio-fertilizers and bio-stimulants, enhancing soil health and promoting plant growth. The proposed PPB cultivation technology in a photobioreactor (PBR) system achieves higher treatment efficiency and biomass productivity compared to conventional open ponds. The produced PPB biomass has demonstrated its capacity to enrich soil with essential nutrients and supply key phytohormones that support plant development. Beyond agriculture, PPB biomass holds strong potential in aquaculture as a feed replacement or additive. Its high protein content and balanced amino acid profile make it a sustainable alternative to fishmeal. Furthermore, studies have shown that PPB supplementation can enhance fish immune responses and improve resistance to common diseases, supporting healthier and more resilient aquaculture systems. Overall, this innovative PPB cultivation technology enables circular resource recovery and offers a sustainable pathway for the agriculture and aquaculture industries to develop eco-friendly, value-added bioproducts from nutrient-rich waste streams. The technology provider is seeking for collaborators to test bed the technology and to license the technology.
Eco-friendly Coating for Preservation of Tropical Fruits
Globally, the post-harvest loss of tropical fruits due to short shelf life is estimated to be around 30-50% of total production. This translates to approximately 30 million tons of fruit wasted each year. The economic cost is substantial, amounting to billions of dollars annually, affecting producers, retailers, and consumers due to reduced availability and increased prices. Proliferation of fungal and bacterial population further adversely impact the shelf life and fruit health. Our innovation offers tailored, edible coating using regulatory approved ingredients specific to the fruit family and microbiomes observed in the farms. Tests conducted in labs and farms over the past two years have provided positive results for tropical fruits such as mango, avocado and papaya in doubling shelf life. This solution has multiple benefits to the stakeholders in the industry value chain. The farmer and aggregator can sell with better assurance to wider export markets and also charge a premium for fresher, tastier and longer lasting fruits. This also provides more time for retailers to sell the produce and to reduce dependency on cold storage and costly supply chain management. This innovation contributes significantly towards better food security and sustainability goals. The technology provider is seeking to conduct further trial with farmers, aggregators in Asia to enhance their solution.
Nutritious Plant-based Abalone
The plant-based abalone is designed and prepared with mung beans, which are rich in protein, but the mung bean protein is often treated as a side stream in the industry. The plant-based abalone contains protein content comparable to that of real abalone. It also contains enhanced nutrients such as essential fatty acids which can potentially play a key role in heart health, cancer prevention, cognitive function, skin health, and obesity prevention. In addition, when cooked, this plant-based abalone presents physical properties like the real abalone, at a fraction of the cost. The technology provider is working on larger scale trials to develop optimal methods for central kitchen operations and looking to collaborate with the food industry on R&D and also to license the technology.