IPI Innovation & Technology Senior Manager, Adeline Chan, advises businesses to consider the potential of transforming agri-food side streams—products that are typically discarded—into valuable products for growth and sustainability.

IPI Innovation Advisor Harish Methil shares how SMEs in the agri-food sector have a unique opportunity to pioneer sustainable solutions amid rising global food demand and environmental pressure.

Authored by: Leonard Chong

• Precision fermentation is revolutionising the food industry by offering sustainable, health-conscious, and economically viable alternatives to traditional food production methods.
• This technology is gaining traction in Singapore, with support from the government, Institutes of Higher Learning and food-based MNCs that have taken root locally.

Leaders from major companies like Schneider Electric and Mondelez International share their insights on how SMEs can embark on sustainable growth journeys. Find out more from their keynote speeches at TechInnovation 2024.

Alvin How, Chief Technology Officer at IPI, advises innovators to leverage open innovation and platforms like TechInnovation to overcome obstacles and accelerate growth.

Sea cucumber supplier, Sandhon, standardised processes and developed new ready-to-eat products by working with both IPI’s Innovation Advisory and Innovation and Technology clusters.

Sea cucumber has long been a prized delicacy in Asian cuisine and is a staple for wedding feasts and celebratory meals. But in our modern era of food delivery apps and rapidly evolving tastes, can a traditional treat like sea cucumber still capture younger palates? One local family-run company thinks so.

• Enhancing Agri-Inputs: Focus on developing high-value, specialised agri-inputs like feed additives and bio-stimulants to reduce dependency on imports and strengthen food security.
• Sustainable Farming: Adopt innovative practices and vertical integration to make local farms more financially viable and resilient, while converting side streams into valuable products to support a circular economy.

Together, IPI Innovation Advisors Francois Joubert, Shivendu Nadkarni and Mike Amour guide Creme Concepts to new heights—enhancing the ice cream empire’s operational efficiency and regional brand presence.

• Circular economy minimises waste and extends product life, decoupling economic growth from resource consumption.
• Innovative solutions and collaborative efforts are essential for transitioning to sustainable practices in a circular economy.