Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced a strategic collaboration with New Agrarian Company Limited to explore the development of a large-scale, multi-tenanted protein fermentation centre in Abu Dhabi. Revealed during the Protein Alternative (PALT) platform at Global Food Week, the project reinforces Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building a globally competitive food economy driven by innovation and sustainability.

The collaboration supports the emirate’s AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster, which aims to generate AED 90 billion in GDP impact by 2045. The proposed facility will enable the industrial-scale production of alternative proteins through protein fermentation, advancing the development of next-generation foods.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, New Agrarian is an active investor and developer focused exclusively on modern clean food companies. New Agrarian plans to establish and lead the funding for a project company in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as a hub for a consortium of international protein fermentation companies, supporting the manufacturing, commercialisation and export of alternative proteins to global markets.

H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), said: “Abu Dhabi is laying the groundwork for a self-sustaining food sector built on science and scale. Our collaboration with New Agrarian marks a bold step towards building an entire industrial base around sustainable protein. In anchoring protein fermentation as a core industrial strength, we are linking research, production and export under the AGWA cluster, creating the foundations for scale, trust and long-term resilience.”

The centre is expected to contribute to GDP growth, attract foreign direct investment and create specialised jobs in food science, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. The collaboration will also explore regulatory harmonisation for protein fermentation, including food safety and Halal certification frameworks.

Jim Mellon, Chair of New Agrarian Company Limited, said: “We are proud to partner with ADIO to bring our expertise in protein fermentation to the Middle East. Abu Dhabi offers the stability, infrastructure and connectivity needed to build a future-proof food production platform. This project is not only about technology and exports, but also about fostering a wider ecosystem of sustainable growth and knowledge exchange.”

The collaboration supports the UAE’s food security objectives and leverages the country’s network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA), providing access to more than 2.5 billion consumers across Asia, Africa and Europe. The announcement underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambition to lead global dialogue and industrial development in alternative proteins, food sustainability and water innovation.

About the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO):

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is the government vehicle responsible for accelerating Abu Dhabi’s growth and enabling the emirate’s economic transformation. Through comprehensive support services, ADIO enables both local and foreign investors to shape industries of the future set to transform liveability, technology, resources, and value-added services. Initiatives focused on regional tourism and retail development, as well as public-private partnerships, ensure that community well-being is at the centre of Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation. With a robust network of investors, strong collaboration with key stakeholders, and a global presence, ADIO is committed to empowering those who invest with Abu Dhabi to make a lasting global impact. For more information, visit: https://www.investinabudhabi.gov.ae.

For more information, please contact: 
ADIO@edelman.com   

About New Agrarian Company:

New Agrarian Company is a private operating company that invests in, develops, and manages modern clean food companies that combat food insecurity through advanced biomanufacturing

http://www.new-agrarian.com