NEW TECH FOODS

ImpacFat, a Singapore-based company developing stem-cell derived omega-3 fish fat, has announced its expansion into Japan, establishing a research and operational presence in Tokyo.

The company signed an agreement with JR East to set up its facilities at Link Scholar’s Hub (LiSH) in Takanawa Gateway City.

ImpacFat aims to develop functional ingredients rich in DHA and EPA and expand their use in food, supplements and cosmeceuticals while contributing to sustainable food innovation in Japan.

This marks ImpacFat’s first move outside Singapore. The company plans to work closely with local researchers, industry partners and stakeholders to advance cell-cultured technology for food, supplements and cosmetics.

Japan’s seafood and health supplement markets make it a key target as the global omega-3 ingredient market is projected to surpass $8 billion by 2030, said the company.

ImpacFat also announced the close of a strategic investment round with Japanese and regional partners, including Toyo Seikan Group, 144 Ventures (Leave a Nest Group) and Lin Xiangliang, CEO of Esco Aster. The investments will support the company’s technology commercialisation and cross-border research initiatives.

Mandy Hon, CEO and co-founder of ImpacFat, said: “Expanding into Japan is a defining moment for ImpacFat. Japan has long been a global leader in food innovation, and we are honoured to work alongside Toyo Seikan Group, Leave a Nest and our other Japanese partners to build a sustainable cultivated food ecosystem."

"By establishing our presence in Takanawa Gateway City, we hope to connect science, innovation and sustainability to create meaningful impact for both Singapore and Japan.”

Takuji Nakamura, president of Toyo Seikan Grou, said: “We believe that ImpacFat’s development of functional ingredients derived from fish fat cells, rich in nutrients such as DHA and EPA, can meet the rising global awareness of food security and the growing demand for healthy and delicious food".

"Toyo Seikan Group will leverage its core technologies in sterilisation and moisture/gas barrier to build, together with ImpacFat, a value chain that maximises the potential of cell-cultured fish fat. With our cross-border ecosystem partners, we aim to accelerate this movement under the concept of refine in Japan, test in Singapore, and launch into the Asian market.”