Experts in food science, technology, and innovation gather to strengthen food security efforts 

TUMCREATE, the research facility of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Singapore, kicked off the second edition of its Proteins4Singapore (P4SG) research programme’s TFOODS Conference, themed “Engaging with Alternative Proteins,” at Surbana Jurong Campus on 5th-6th November 2024. 

The Guest of Honour for TFOODS, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, opened the two-day conference aimed at fostering connections and empowering researchers in the local and international community. 

The TFOODS Conference reinforced Singapore’s dedication to establishing resilient and sustainable food systems, making significant strides towards the national goal of food security. 

Global experts in food texturisation, agriculture, nutrition, food chemistry, health, and the circular economy gathered to share the latest results, present fresh insights, and engage in dynamic panel discussions. 

Building a stronger rapport with fellow researchers, leading experts, and industry players in food science and beyond allows a greater expansion of the food tech network. 

“I am delighted to witness the dynamic networking between Proteins4Singapore, the TFOODS conference, impactful industry partners, and deep tech landscapes such as Google and SGInnovate. We hope that new partnerships emerge from the conference,” said Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kramer, Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation at TUM. 

Both the international conference and the comprehensive research programme, P4SG, are aligned with Singapore’s “30-by-30”1 initiative, aimed at producing 30% of the nation’s nutritional needs locally by 2030. TUMCREATE’s researchers contribute to creating a sustainable food ecosystem together with leading institutions such as Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), and Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI). These partners work towards strengthening Singapore’s food security and sustainability through the P4SG five-year research project launched in 2022. 

Besides fostering collaboration and connecting global and local expertise, the TFOODS Conference also set the stage for the next phase of P4SG. Building on the momentum from this event, it is poised to advance groundbreaking solutions that address Singapore’s food security and sustainability goals. 

“The next years for P4SG will be pivotal as we aim to launch a new phase that drives forward-thinking, transformative solutions. Our focus now is to harness bold, disruptive ideas for the programme’s next phase, ensuring we continue to contribute to Singapore’s dynamic research and innovation landscape. Building partnerships with like-minded people is key to creating lasting impact.” said Professor Thomas Becker, Chair of Brewing and Beverage Technology at TUM School of Life Sciences and Scientific Director of P4SG. 

Through events like the TFOODS Conference, TUMCREATE fosters invaluable connections across the food science ecosystem, empowering researchers and industry professionals to explore innovative solutions together. This collaborative environment paves the way for new partnerships, driving forward advancements that respond to the evolving demands of food production and technology. 

“The TFOODS Conference has emerged as an exceptional platform for scientific discourse, collaboration, and technology showcases. I had the pleasure to establish TFOODS together with the food science and innovation community to enable exchange and collaboration here in Singapore,” said Dr. Stefan Klade, Director of Research and Innovation at TUMCREATE and coordinator of the P4SG programme. 

“By bringing together international and Singaporean partners across the food science and technology ecosystems, we are connecting expertise on these critical topics with decision-makers for emerging trends. Singapore, with its unique challenges in food production and its unparalleled drive for innovation, offers the perfect environment for this vital exchange.” 

Some conference highlights included: 

• Tech and Protein Innovation Fair: Attendees explored tech advancements, sustainable food solutions, and collaborative opportunities designed to reshape industries and improve lives. This helped to inspire and spark new ideas, forge meaningful collaborations, and unlock innovative solutions that drive lasting impact. 
• Science Kiosk: An interactive hub, the TFOODS Science Kiosk showcased the innovative research approaches of the P4SG consortium. Through technology displays, interactive process demonstrations, and live presentations, visitors explored alternative protein sources such as microalgae and vertically farmed soy, gained insights into gut microbiome research, and discovered emerging were also guided in sustainability simulations. The Science Kiosk offered a unique opportunity for attendees to gain first-hand insights into alternative protein research and food security in Singapore’s urban landscape. 

With food security and sustainable food production as pressing as global concerns, the focus is on innovation and developing the next generation of industry leaders who will shape the future of food systems. In alignment with TUMCREATE’s research focus, TUM Asia recently launched a new two-year Master of Science in Sustainable Food Programme in August 2024, admitting its inaugural cohort of students. 

“The TFOODS conference and Proteins4Singapore initiative represent our commitment to pushing boundaries in sustainable food research and innovation,” said Dr. Markus Waechter, Managing Director of TUM Asia and Corporate Director of TUMCREATE. 

“Through this, we’re not only fostering breakthrough solutions in alternative proteins but also equipping a new generation of leaders through our programme to drive impactful change in food resilience.” 

Together, Proteins4Singapore, the TFOODS conference, and the Master of Science in Sustainable Food programme demonstrate TUMCREATE’s and TUM Asia’s commitment to building a sustainable food ecosystem in Singapore. 

About TUMCREATE 

Founded in 2010, TUMCREATE is a multidisciplinary research platform fostering bilateral research exchanges between the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the world’s leading universities, local institutions, and public agencies as well as industry partners from the region to contribute to the sustainable transformation of societies through science and technology. Funded by the National Research Foundation, TUMCREATE’s multi-faceted research projects span topics from urban mobility, food science and technology, biomedical technology, and preventive care to solutions for a carbon-neutral megacity. Over the last years, the research teams presented more than 1,000 publications, with more than 70 doctoral students qualified for a career in research and industry. These achievements and the strong rapport established with its international partners reflect the institution’s high-quality research output and scientific impact. 

Website: https://www.tum-create.edu.sg 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TUMCREATE 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tum-create-limited 

About TFOODS Conference and Proteins4Singapore 

The TFOODS (Technology. Food. Sustainability) Conference 2024 is the second edition of the annual conference of our comprehensive research programme ‘Proteins4Singapore’. The collaborative programme is one of the largest food research consortiums in the SEA region. It combines the cultivation of alternative non-animal protein sources with innovative extraction techniques, processing methods, and novel food engineering approaches to build a sustainable protein supply in Singapore. 

This research is supported by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme. 

Website: https://www.tfoods2024.com/ 

Proteins4Singapore: https://www.tum-create.edu.sg/research/proteins4singapore 

About CREATE 

CREATE is an international collaboratory housing research centres set up by top universities. At CREATE, researchers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds work closely together to perform cutting-edge research in strategic areas of interest, for translation into practical applications leading to positive economic and societal outcomes for Singapore. The interdisciplinary research centres at CREATE focus on four areas of interdisciplinary thematic areas of research, namely human systems, energy systems, environmental systems and urban systems. More information on the CREATE programme can be obtained from www.create.edu.sg.