Thailand Eyes Carbon-Fed Microbial Protein as New Export Frontier

Thailand's Ministry of Commerce is looking into carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology as a way to enter the global alternative protein market. The Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) sees "carbon protein" as a frontier industry that could help with food security goals and the country's decarbonisation targets. By capturing carbon dioxide from large emitters like power stations and feeding it to microbes in fermentation systems, protein-rich biomass can be produced for various food products.

Thailand's energy sector is a major source of emissions, but the country is focused on decarbonization, low-carbon growth, and a circular economy. The TPSO views CCU as a high-value-added industry driven by biotechnology, intellectual property, and safety standards, rather than land or raw material costs. The country already exports some food products in the "future food" category, including alternative protein, and has supported this sector through public procurement targets. While specific commercial partners have not been named yet, Thailand's plan is currently in the policy and positioning stage as it looks to tap into the growing global market for alternative proteins.