Strategic Partnership to Boost Alternative Protein Production in the UAE

In a groundbreaking move for the food production industry, precision fermentation startups Vivici and The Every Company have joined forces with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). Their collective goal is to explore the establishment of a massive 4-million-litre industrial-scale facility dedicated to alternative protein production in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A Milestone for Food Security

This collaboration marks an important milestone for Abu Dhabi’s AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster, which aims to tackle issues related to food security and water scarcity through advanced technologies and international collaboration. According to the ADIO, “By anchoring a state-of-the-art protein fermentation facility in the emirate, the project will contribute to regional food resilience while expanding Abu Dhabi’s presence in global protein supply chains.”

A Multi-Tenanted Facility Model

The proposed facility aims to host multiple tenants, welcoming other companies specializing in fermented proteins. ADIO has emphasized that this initiative will also assist in creating a regulatory framework for fermented proteins, paving the way for clear commercial approval processes within the UAE and across the region.

Export Opportunities on the Horizon

The partnership will also investigate export opportunities to markets in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The Every Co CEO Arturo Elizondo stated, “EVERY exists to make egg proteins a staple for every food company in the world, without the risks of avian flu, supply shortages, or salmonella. The UAE and wider region stand to benefit tremendously from protein independence.”

Comments from Leaders in the Industry

Vivici CEO Stephan van Sint Fiet remarked, “The emirate provides a unique combination of capital, talent, and infrastructure that enables rapid growth while ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality.”

Regional Developments

This initiative emerges as another major development in the region’s pursuit of food security, following a recent agreement between Liberation Bioindustries and the NEOM Investment Fund to explore similar endeavors in Saudi Arabia.

Innovations in Dairy and Egg Protein Production

Vivici was established in December 2022 through a partnership between Fonterra and DSM-Firmenich to produce dairy proteins via precision fermentation. The startup has rapidly advanced by leveraging expertise in dairy proteins and industrial-scale biomanufacturing.

The firm recently secured a deal with Liberation Bioindustries to manufacture beta-lactoglobulin—a whey protein—at its biomanufacturing facility in Richmond, Indiana, with production expected to commence next year.

The Every Co, founded in 2014 by Arturo Elizondo and David Anchel, focuses on two core products: OvoPro​ ovalbumin, which substitutes for egg and egg whites, and OvoBoost, a highly soluble glycoprotein. The company anticipates achieving “profitable unit economics” next year as it increases manufacturing capacity to meet rising demand.