The NEOM Investment Fund (NIF) has partnered with Liberation Labs to develop a precision fermentation facility in Saudi Arabia, aiming to advance food production capabilities in the region. The facility, to be part of NEOM’s food-focused company Topian, will utilize precision fermentation to produce essential food ingredients sustainably without animal agriculture. This project aligns with NEOM’s goal of becoming a global hub for sustainable, industrial-scale food production.

The new facility will address food security and economic growth in Saudi Arabia, where 80% of food is imported and much of the land is unsuitable for traditional agriculture. By producing alternative proteins and other food ingredients, the facility will reduce dependency on food imports while creating high-skilled jobs and economic opportunities in the novel-food sector. The partnership between NIF, Liberation Labs, and Topian is seen as a significant step in reshaping global food systems and supporting the Kingdom’s broader environmental and economic goals.