投資食品技術

2024 年 5 月

由於全球人口快速增長，預計到 2050 年將達 97 億，食品產業正面臨壓力，必須以永續且環保的方式提高產量。氣候變遷更加劇了糧食與水資源安全的迫切性，迫使人們採取積極策略。隨著氣候相關的衝擊威脅傳統農業模式，創新成為在這股變局中前行的重要途徑，而科技有潛力徹底改變食品產業。

在 Siemens Financial Services (SFS)，我們致力於支援創新食品技術的發展，並透過為專案與企業提供資金，改善農業基礎設施，以推動更永續的實踐。

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.