SP Food Innovation & Resource Centre

We are grateful to be part of an inspiring event focused on the innovative world of alternative proteins, organized by the Belgium Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (BLCC Singapore), Eurocham Singapore, DutchCham, SwissCham Singapore, and Singapore Science Park. As the demand for sustainability grows, alternative proteins are at the forefront of transforming the food industry. Dr. Grace Ng from SP Food Innovation & Resource Centre, was invited to speak on a distinguished panel alongside industry leaders. Dr. Ng shared valuable insights into how government research centres like FIRC are accelerating the development and adoption of alternative proteins. With FIRC’s technology-ready platform, they help speed up product development, localize flavours for the Asian market, and provide proof of concept. Dr. Ng also discussed the challenges faced by SMEs and startups in the alternative protein sector. While there may be limited demand locally in Singapore, export markets offer great potential, as they don't face the same regulatory restrictions on meat products. Singapore can also serve as a valuable testing ground for new products. We look forward to continued collaboration and innovation in this exciting field. Do reach out to us and follow our page for more opportunities to connect and collaborate! 🌱 #AlternativeProteins #SustainabilityInFood #FoodInnovation #SustainableFood #FutureOfFood #PlantBased #TechInFood #FoodTech #FIRC #SPFIRC

𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐎 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄- an Exciting Update from an Exclusive Industry Networking Event hosted by Chinatown Food Corporation We had the privilege of participating a networking event on 6 November, bringing together 50 key players in the F&B industry. The event featured a delightful luncheon and invaluable insights from esteemed partners, fostering deep connections and strategic partnerships. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 𝐌𝐫. 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐊𝐨𝐡 emphasised the importance of innovation in revitalising traditional foods and showcasing them on the international stage. He shared his company’s experience with innovative products like #plantbased egg lava custard and long shelf life local delights for export, achieved through smart adoption of frozen technology. 𝐌𝐬. Evelyn Ong discussed product readiness for #export and how companies can leverage FIRC’s capabilities in their #internationalisation journey. She also provided insights into sustainable packaging development and the role of consumer study in crafting effective market entry strategies. 𝐌𝐬. Ai Tsing Tan underscored the significance of industry accolades in driving innovation. She introduced the SIFST Food Product Award, which recognises local innovations and provide winners the opportunity to compete in prestigious global competition. 🫱🏻🫲🏻This event is a testament to the power of shared knowledge and strategic partnerships in driving the F&B sector forward. To foster a strong local community, it’s crucial to look internationally, embrace #sustainability, focus on #scalability, and conduct consumer studies to localize and adapt products for continuous improvement. Do reach out to us and follow our page for more opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate! #FIRC #ChinatownFoodCorporation #SIFST #Networking #FoodInnovation #FoodCommunity #SustainablePackaging #ConsumerStudy

Day 2 TechInnovation 2024 Highlights: The Future of the Food Industry 🌱☕ We are excited to be at the TechInnovation 2024, alongside SP Advanced Materials Technology Centre, to showcase some of our exciting tech offerings! Carolyn Stephen, lead nutritionist at SP Food Innovation & Resource Centre, delivered an insightful crowdpitch on capitalising spent coffee grounds (SCG). Typically, only 20% of coffee beans are consumed, while the remaining 80%—approximately six million tons—often ends up in landfills or is used as fertilizer. Carolyn introduced a simple, reproducible non-chemical process that transforms SCG into higher value oil- and water-based pastes, ideal for a variety of food applications. This solution is designed to be easily scalable, enabling companies to enhance their sustainability and product offerings. If you are interested in learning more about this offer, do contact us at firc@sp.edu.sg!   #TechInnovation2024 #Sustainability #FoodIndustry #Innovation #SpentCoffeeGrounds #FutureofFood #SP #SPFIRC #FIRC

Enabling Collaborations: Our Journey at ITAP 2024 At the recent Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC 2024, part of the prestigious Hannover Messe event, our team at SP – Food Innovation & Resource Centre has thoroughly immersed ourselves in the pulse of industrial transformation! Since its launch in 2018, ITAP has transformed into a vital platform that connects global manufacturers and suppliers with the local manufacturing ecosystem, fostering advancements in technology, innovative solutions, and valuable partnerships. This year’s event features over 400 product and solution showcases from more than 30 countries worldwide, drawing close to 18,000 trade visitors. At the heart of SP’s core mission to position itself as a leading industry-relevant polytechnic, proactively responding to the needs of the industry are key drivers of our ongoing presence at the trade show. Focusing on three key areas - #Innovation, #Digitalisation and #Sustainability with 13 showcases from 10 different schools and centres within SP, are testament of our commitment to enhancing the capabilities of our local SMEs via company-workforce transformation projects, talent-building and training. During the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat highlighted how #AI will transform Singapore’s manufacturing landscape. As AI continues to gain traction in the manufacturing sector, FIRC has developed its own AI-enabled quality control inspection system, ‘X-INSPECT,’ which ensures 100% inspection of all incoming rigid packaging to eliminate the risk of foreign objects, such as broken glass. This solution addresses the rising incidents of food contamination caused by external factors that are beyond human control, threatening both consumer safety and manufacturers' reputations. Additionally, the smart system can be seamlessly integrated into existing production lines with minimal disruption. We are honoured to have Mitsubishi Electric Asia co-exhibiting on this platform as we acknowledged the important role they have played in our F&B projects. Their expertise and insights have significantly contributed to our progress, and we look forward to further advancing our shared objectives together.   As we reflected on the three days at ITAP 2024, we recounted every conversation, connection made, leaving with new insights and a renewed sense of purpose. Our mission to enhance food quality and productivity had been reinforced, and we are excited to carry this momentum forward. We thank everyone who visited our booth, shared their stories, and inspired us. Together, we are not just participants in an industry; we are pioneers, crafting a sustainable future for our food companies to come. #ITAP2024 #IndustrialTransformation #FoodInnovation #Sustainability #Digitalisation #AIinManufacturing #QualityControl 

📢 Day 2 at ITAP 2024! It’s Day 2 of Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP) 2024, and there’s still plenty to discover! Visit Singapore Polytechnic's booth to see our AI-enabled inspection system, designed to enhance quality control in the food machinery industry. This innovative solution detects defects with high precision, ensuring consistent product quality and optimizing processes. Connect with our experts to find out how SP’s advanced technology can improve your quality control practices! 📍 Location: Singapore Expo, Hall 3, Booth [3L11] 📅 Date: 14- 16 OCT Recap from Day 1: Check out some highlights from our first day at ITAP 2024! Don’t miss out—join us today and be part of the AI-driven future of industrial transformation! #ITAP2024 #IndustrialTransformation #Innovation #foodmanufacturing #SmartManufacturing #SPInnovates

Discover SP at ITAP 2024 – Shaping the Future of Industrial Transformation! We’re excited to announce our participation in the Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP) 2024, where Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat graced the event and visited our booth. Come visit SP’s booth, where we’re showcasing manufacturing innovations and solutions that are driving the future of industrial technology. Explore our latest projects and learn how we’re pushing the boundaries in areas such as food manufacturing, automation, and digitalization. Don’t miss the chance to connect, collaborate, and transform your business with us! 📍 Location: Singapore Expo Hall 3, Booth [3L11] 📅 Date: [14 - 16 OCT] #ITAP2024 #IndustrialTransformation #Innovation #foodmanufacturing #SmartManufacturing #SPInnovates

🚀Event: Deep Dive into Branding & Marketing Excellence - October 17th, 2024 In this event organized by SME Centre@NW (SME Centre@SMF), join industry experts for an exclusive exploration into the future of branding and marketing! Key Topics: - Explore the Fusion of Human Creativity and AI: Understand how AI, like Microsoft Copilot, can enhance creativity and productivity in branding. TikTok Marketing for Business: Learn the latest strategies in digital marketing and social media. - Real-World Branding Case Studies: Discover how businesses are successfully navigating AI challenges. - Intellectual Property (IP) in Branding: Understand the complexities of IP in the AI era with experts from IPOS International. - Government Initiatives: Find out about the support available to boost your business. Event Details: 📅Date: October 17, 2024 (Thursday) 🕒Time: Lunch: 12:30-1:30 PM, Event: 1:30-4:30 PM Venue: 2 Yishun Walk, Level 2 Ballroom, HomeTeamNS Khatib, Singapore 767944 📍Venue: SME Centre@NW – 2 Yishun Walk, Level 2 Ballroom, HomeTeamNS Khatib, Singapore 767944 Register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/g2DbiJXm

🎉Grand Finals of The Upcycle Revival Challenge 2024! 🎉 Over the past six months, students from Diploma in Food Science and Technology (School of Chemical & Life Sciences) and Media, Arts & Design (Singapore Polytechnic | Media, Arts & Design School), alongside our participating companies — Dole Specialty Ingredients, Fish Soup Paradise, Hara Soy, KosmodeHealth Singapore, Mycosortia, Mycrocell, Tan Seng Kee Food Pte Ltd, and The Soy Company (Super Bean International Pte Ltd) — embarked on a journey to #upcycle sidestreams like okara, dumpling skin dough, and anchovy into higher-value food products. This challenge pushed their limits through design thinking and intensive R&D, resulting in some delicious and #innovative solutions! We would like to thank our supporting partners and prize sponsors, KH Roberts and FoodPlant Pte Ltd, for their generosity, both crucial in driving this initiative forward. Also our knowledge partners, Eurofins and Mintel for their support at the beginning of the journey. We also extend our appreciation to our judges of the event: AnnA Lim, Dr. Chong Chee Wei, Jeff Chia, Dr. Rebecca Lian, Sharon Tay, for dedicating their time and expertise to the challenging task of evaluating the teams' pitches. Special thanks to Lee Fordham from Synthesis for his sharing on food #sustainability trends and potential opportunities in this space. We hope his insights have inspired the companies to continue on this journey. We are also deeply grateful to our co-organizers, the Singapore Food Manufacturers Association and Enterprise Singapore, for their invaluable collaboration in making this event a success. 🎉 Congratulations to all the student teams for completing this journey! 🎉 All eight teams demonstrated impressive creativity and dedication, and we are proud of each one for their fantastic efforts.  A special shoutout to the Three winning teams: Tan Seng Kee Foods (Grand Winner), The Soy Company (Design Innovation award), and Fish Soup Paradise (Product Innovation Award)! Collectively, this initiative has highlighted the potential for innovation and sustainability to shape the future of the food industry. We look forward to seeing these ideas come to fruition! 🌱💡 #Upcycling #Futurefood #FutureTrends #Foodinnovation #SP #SPFIRC

📢 We're excited to share that our Director, Ms. Evelyn Ong from the Food Innovation and Resource Centre (FIRC) at Singapore Polytechnic, recently contributed her expertise at this insightful event. 🗣️   During the panel discussion, Evelyn emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors to drive sustainable packaging initiatives. She highlighted how packaging is crucial for preserving food quality and extending shelf life. Evelyn also noted the need to strike a balance between sustainability and functionality to prevent the risk of adding additional waste into our system. Furthermore, she encouraged companies to be more outward-looking and explore different packaging solutions, especially when expanding into international markets.   At FIRC, we're committed to fostering innovation and supporting the industry’s transition towards sustainable practices. Contact us at firc@sp.edu.sg if you would like to learn more about our initiatives. 📧 #SP #SingaporePolytechnic #FIRC #Sustainability #FoodInnovation #SustainablePackaging #Collaboration

🌿 🥛 Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Beverages Plant-based beverages have gained immense popularity due to their environmental advantages compared to dairy-based beverages. This trend is particularly strong in the Asian region, where milk allergies and lactose intolerance are more prevalent. The growing number of flexitarians among millennials and Gen Zs is further propelling the growth of plant-based beverages in the alternative protein market. FIRC has developed shelf-stable Ready-To-Drink (RTD) versions of plant-based beverages using a variety of ingredients such as oat, barley, millet, almond, black sesame, and adzuki bean. Our solutions feature no artificial sweeteners and ensure product emulsion stability, making them commercially viable without the need for cold chain logistics. Contact us at FIRC@sp.edu.sg to see how we can support you in your plant-based beverage journey! #FIRC #FIRCSP #Plantbased #Newproductdevelopment #Dairyfree