Investir em tecnologia alimentar

MAIO 2024

A indústria alimentar está sob pressão para produzir mais alimentos de uma forma sustentável e ecológica devido ao rápido crescimento da população mundial, que deverá atingir 9,7 mil milhões até 2050. As alterações climáticas também intensificam a urgência de adotar estratégias proativas para a segurança alimentar e hídrica. À medida que as perturbações relacionadas com o clima ameaçam as práticas agrícolas convencionais, a inovação torna-se essencial para navegar neste cenário em mudança, e a tecnologia tem o potencial de transformar a indústria alimentar.

Na Siemens Financial Services (SFS), estamos empenhados em apoiar o desenvolvimento de tecnologias alimentares inovadoras, bem como melhorar as infraestruturas agrícolas através do financiamento de projetos e empresas que se concentram em oferecer práticas mais sustentáveis.

With arable land quickly depleting due to erosion and pollution, alternative ways to produce healthy food without needing acres of quality topsoil are needed. Vertical farming can help contribute to this solution by farming upward rather than outward. Anchored by SFS’s initial investment, Siemens and 80 Acres have partnered to apply technology within the agriculture industry, fostering sustainable, healthy, traceable, and more productive farming practices.

In addition, SFS recently teamed up with Urban Crop Solutions, which supplies end-to-end growth solutions in the fast-emerging global market of indoor vertical farming launching a program where, under certain conditions, its customers can benefit from financing options offered by SFS.

Creative changes can make a big impact. SFS recently provided financing for Restaurant Technologies (RT), a leading provider of bulk cooking oil management services to the food industry. SFS provided financing, which supports RT's core operations, including collecting used cooking oil from customer locations and storing it in depots to then convert and sell it as biofuel feedstock. The loan helps RT achieve their goal of becoming a more sustainable company, promote sustainability in the industry while also providing benefits to food service businesses, such as reducing costs.

Additionally, SFS announced its investment in FertigHy, a company aiming to produce affordable and low-carbon fertilizers for European farmers using green hydrogen. Fertilizers are a linchpin of modern agriculture, and their eco-friendly evolution is paramount in sustaining our environment. Our investment in this project supports the transition towards more sustainable practices in the food industry throughout Europe. Fertilizers are critical in the food industry, and eco-friendly fertilizers are being developed to support sustainable farming practices.

As the demand for sustainable food sources continues to rise, alternative proteins are gaining popularity as a viable solution to meet the needs of the growing population. The production of alternative proteins, including plant-based meat and cell-based meat, requires significantly less land, water, and energy compared to traditional livestock farming. According to a recent report, the plant-based protein market is expected to reach $162 billion by 2030, while the cell-based meat market could reach $25 billion by 2030. These innovations require fewer resources than traditional livestock farming, aligning with the imperative for sustainable food production.

Examples, including companies like Del Monte Foods who identifies itself as “The Original Plant-Based Food Company,” are essential in meeting the needs of a growing population. SFS has been providing corporate lending solutions to Del Monte Foods for over 15 years, enabling the company to overcome periods of uncertainty and strategic transformation to achieve their goals. With help from financing from SFS, Del Monte Foods has been able to achieve growth objectives and has even won awards for product innovation.