The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has partnered with precision fermentation specialists The Every Company and Vivici, aiming to advance an alternative protein ecosystem in the United Arab Emirates capital.

Precision fermentation is an advanced biotechnology method involving the use of microorganisms to produce high-value proteins and other ingredients. Typically animal-based ingredients, such as dairy proteins, can be produced in this way with no animal input, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional animal-based production.

US-headquartered The Every Co uses the technology to produce animal-free egg ingredients made from precision-fermented ovalbumin, including egg whites, a protein powder and a complete liquid egg solution. Vivici, headquartered in the Netherlands, focuses on dairy – its flagship ingredient is Vivitein BLG, a bioidentical beta-lactoglobulin protein made without animals.

Through the partnership, the companies will explore the establishment of a 4-million-litre, industrial-scale facility for alternative protein production. This aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s biotechnology and innovation ecosystem at a time when the global protein fermentation market, valued at $3 billion in 2024, is projected to expand to $54 billion by 2032.

The partnership marks a key milestone for Abu Dhabi’s AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance cluster, which aims to address food security and water scarcity through advanced technologies and international collaboration.

Building a state-of-the-art protein fermentation facility in the emirate will contribute to regional food resilience, while expanding Abu Dhabi’s presence in global protein supply chains.

The initiative will focus on designing, financing and commercialising a facility that meets ‘the highest standards’ of food safety and Halal certification. It will be multi-tenanted to enable the participation of other fermented protein companies in the future.

Additionally, the project will support the creation of a regulatory framework for fermented proteins, creating clear pathways for commercial approval in the UAE and across the region.

The partners will also explore opportunities for export through the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), aiming to enhance Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway to high-growth markets across Asia, Africa and Europe.

In addition to the production site, the partnership aims to collaborate with local universities, research institutions and training providers to drive talent development in biotechnology and food science, build a skilled national workforce and facilitate global knowledge exchange.

Arturo Elizondo, CEO of The Every Company, said: “The UAE and wider region stands to benefit tremendously from protein independence, and we’re excited to support ADIO and our partners to build this ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and demonstrate how cutting-edge biotechnology can be deployed at scale to transform global food systems”.

Stephan van Sint Fiet, CEO of Vivici, commented: “The emirate provides a unique combination of capital, talent and infrastructure that enables rapid growth while ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality. Together with ADIO and our partners, we will help establish Abu Dhabi as a hub for next-generation food innovation.”

Vivici has achieved self-affirmed GRAS status in the US and launched nature-identical whey protein within its first year of operation. Meanwhile, Every has secured a US patent for its precision-fermented ovalbumin protein and is now expanding its ingredient applications across the F&B sector.

The partners hope to not only strengthen Abu Dhabi’s own resilience, but offer a model for sustainable growth that can serve regional and international markets for decades to come.