21st.BIO is supporting customers in upscaling their production all the way to full-scale ingredient production. (Image source: 21st.BIO)

Precision fermentation platform provider 21st.BIO has earned a self-affirmed GRAS status for its animal-free beta-lactoglobulin ingredient, BLG Essential+, which means customers can now launch in the US market

This breakthrough comes less than two years after 21st.BIO initiated its development of a strain and production process for its beta-lactoglobulin protein, BLG Essential+, demonstrating the power of the Company's approach, unique expertise and differentiated precision fermentation platform.

Through 21st.BIO's BLG programme, customers gain access to the world's most advanced production strains and precision fermentation processes - and optimisations over time. Furthermore, 21st.BIO is supporting customers in upscaling their production all the way to full-scale ingredient production. The Company's diverse global customer base spans food-tech start-ups to large food ingredients manufacturers. BLG Essential+ is the first food protein out of a portfolio of protein ingredients that 21st.BIO will take to the market via this model. 

With a strong track record and productive microorganisms licensed from Novonesis (formerly Novozymes), 21st.BIO is bringing solutions to market at an unprecedented pace, enabling customers to bypass years of development and market approval for direct entry into the US market and empowering customers to produce any food, materials, agriculture, or biopharma-related protein or peptide of interest, and scale production to industrial levels to ensure large-scale availability and cost-effectiveness.  

"We're not just a technology provider - we're a partner to our customers' on their product journey, ensuring their success from development to full-scale manufacturing. We make products, not projects," said 21st.BIO co-founder and CEO Thomas G. Schmidt. "Our ambition is to empower our customers to focus more on application, business development, low-cost production and innovation. And this shows all the way through our business model, which is designed such that our success at 21st.BIO depends on our customers' success in the market with a product; not just on project completion." 

With a vision to contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in Japan and Asia, J AGRI Tokyo serves as a crucial business platform driving the agricultural industry in Asia. (Image source: RX Japan)

Leading exhibition organiser, RX Japan is preparing to invite businesses from around the world to discover groundbreaking smart farming technologies at J AGRI Tokyo 2024

Scheduled to take place from 9-11 October at Makuhari Messe in Japan, this premier event offers unparalleled networking opportunities and showcases the latest advancements in the agricultural and livestock industry. J AGRI Tokyo 2024 is set to be a pivotal platform for businesses and professionals in the agricultural sector, offering a unique opportunity to source international smart farming technologies, conduct on-the-spot business meetings, and meet new distributors and importers from around the world. 

With a focus on smart farming, smart livestock farming, and farming drones and robots, J AGRI Tokyo 2024 is a one-stop destination for importers, wholesalers, agricultural cooperatives, farmers, researchers, and government officials. The exhibition features thousands of innovative agritech solutions designed to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in agriculture. Among the highlights of this year’s show are some newly launching or improved agritech devices and products that visitors can personally explore.

Some notable products include:

1. Autonomous Robot for Rough Terrain 'Titan': An autonomous robot designed to operate on rough terrain and perform a range of labour-saving agricultural tasks.

2. AT2 Agricultural Machinery Automatic Steering System: Utilises GNSS and RTK technology to achieve a steering accuracy of ±2.5 cm on any terrain.

3. AC101 Connect: A domestically produced drone by NTT e-Drone Technology, offering lightweight, compact, and fuel-efficient operation.

4. HERMAI Robot: An agricultural robot designed for autonomous operation in high-tech greenhouses. 

Attendees at the event will have the chance to engage in on-the-spot business meetings, ensuring comprehensive networking opportunities that can lead to long-lasting partnerships. With last year’s edition attracting over 36,000 visitors and featuring more than 900 exhibitors, this year's event offers a broad array of innovations and insights that can transform the agricultural industry. 

With a vision to contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in Japan and Asia, J AGRI Tokyo serves as a crucial business platform driving the agricultural industry in Asia. Co-located with GARDEX and TOOL JAPAN, it offers a unique opportunity to explore the synergies between these industries and maximise the potential for business growth.

Director of the Board and Vice-chairman of the GS1 HK Food and Beverage Industry Advisory Board, kick-started the GS1 HK Food Safety Forum 2024 with other distinguished guests. (Image source: GS1 Hong Kong)

Drawing more than 200 in-person attendees from the food and catering industry, the tenth edition of GS1 Hong Kong Food Safety Forum concluded successfully on 23 August 

The event was kick-started by Diane Wong, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR Government, who was also the Guest of Honour. In her opening remarks, she highlighted the importance of advanced technology in food safety and sustainability, along with its role in efficiently reducing food loss and waste by significantly improving storage, handling and distribution practices. 

Keith Wu, Chairman of GS1 HK's Food and Beverage Industry Advisory Board, highlighted the importance of the sustainability of local food ecosystem and cited GS1 HK's '1QR', a QR code with GS1 Digital Link standard, as a good way to promote food safety and sustainability. Retailers can scan the code at the check-out counter to view the 'Best Before' or 'Sell By' dates – allowing expired foods to be rejected at checkout, and those close to expiry to be sold at a bargain – to reduce food waste.

Moreover, additional information including nutritional values, industry certifications and allergy advice can also be accessed by consumers along with the sustainability details such as sources of materials, carbon footprint and recycling methods that can help uplift consumers' confidence and attachment. 

The new 'Quality Food Scheme ESG' has awarded 17 enterprises with recognition, which are assessed mainly in accordance with GS1 Global Traceability Standard (GTS), MSCI ESG Indexes and United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) etc. The scheme aims to encourage businesses to not only put efforts in food traceability and safety, but also act on ESG practices.

"I'm very pleased to see the encouraging responses for our inaugural 'Quality Food Scheme ESG' from the industry, which shows their commitment to sustainable development," said Chief Executive of GS1 HK, Anna Lin. "We will continue to work with all the parties, by means of consultation, training and award schemes, to elevate food safety standard and more sustainable practices."

This in-person gathering marked a significant opportunity to strengthen relationships among laboratories and countries. (Image source: ICRISAT)

The eighth summit meeting of the Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET) was held from 15-16 July in the Philippines

The summit brought together distinguished dignitaries, scientists, and SEALNET members from across the globe. After years of virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this in-person gathering marked a significant opportunity to strengthen relationships among laboratories and countries and to define a sustainable work plan for the coming years.

At the inaugural session held on 15 July 2024, FAO Representative in the Philippines, Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie and Director of the FAO Land and Water Division, Lifeng Li were the guest speakers. The keynote address was delivered by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Philippines, Francisco P Tiu-Laurel Jr. 

All focal points were called on to encourage regional laboratories to join SEALNET and participate in regional proficiency testing. All focal points were called on to encourage regional laboratories to join SEALNET and participate in regional proficiency testing. In her address, Dr Nilo stressed the role soil laboratories play in meticulously measuring and providing the vast data required for the preparation of soil health maps.

"Quality soil data and integrity are key to sustainable soil management and achieving food self-sufficiency. Healthy soil leads to a healthy life, as 95% of our food comes from land. It all begins with soil and water, the sources of life," said ICRISAT's deputy director General-Research, Dr Stanford Blade, while appreciating SEALNET's extensive efforts and emphasising the importance of soil health monitoring in the context of 'One Health'.

Around 580 companies from 40 countries along with 12 countries' pavilions and 18,467 trade visitors gathered at the exhibition. (Image source: PT Napindo)

PT Napindo Media Ashatama (Napindo) extends appreciation and gratitude for all participation and contribution towards the Indo Livestock, Indo Feed, Indo Dairy, Indo Agrotech, Indo Vet, and Indo Fisheries 2024 Expo & Forum, which was successfully held this year

Around 580 companies from 40 countries along with 12 countries' pavilions and 18,467 trade visitors gathered at the exhibition. During his opening ceremony, the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) appreciated the event as a form of positive support to encourage the growth of the livestock and fisheries industry in the country. 

“The exhibitions provide significant information contributions for stakeholders in the food sector, especially in supporting food self-sufficiency. Indo Livestock 2024 Expo and Forum are a momentum for business actors to develop products that currently have not achieved food self-sufficiency, especially dairy and milk products,” he said.

Project Director Napindo said, this series of successful collaborations with six exhibitions and forums will continue with Indo Livestock, Indo Feed, Indo Dairy, Indo Agrotech, Indo Vet and Indo Fisheries 2025 Expo & Forum from 2-5 July 2025 at Grand City Convex, Surabaya.

A total of 300 companies from 30 countries are targeted to participate in this annual event, including 10 Country Pavilions and it is hoped that it will attract 15,000 visitors during the three days of the show.