Precision fermentation
Urgency/Challenges
Singapore currently produces only 10% of its food locally and aims to increase this to 30% by 2030. Scaling sustainable food production technologies is a key challenge in reaching this goal.
Contributions
ScaleUp Bio has partnered with Alfa Laval to equip two high-tech facilities in Tuas. One site supports fermentation at up to 10,000 litres, using Alfa Laval’s Pureferm 250 separator—cutting energy use by 40%—and MultiSystem membrane filtration. The adjacent R&D centre includes an MBPX404 separator and two PilotUnit Multi systems, allowing testing across various filtration types. Precision fermentation can reduce emissions and water use by up to 90% compared to conventional beef production (UNEP, 2023). The facilities help companies scale from lab to commercial production.
Success factors
Efficient, scalable technology, flexible testing capacity, and experience in fermentation processes have been key to the project’s success and potential for scale-up.
