Waters partners with Minnesota center to address climate change, food insecurity

Photo | Courtesy of Waters Corp. Milford-based Waters Corp. announced a partnership with the University of Minnesota to advance the science of plant-based proteins.

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By Laura Finaldi

Milford lab equipment manufacturer Waters Corp. is working with University of Minnesota researchers to advance the science of plant-based proteins.

The company on Tuesday announced a partnership with the university’s Plant Protein Innovation Center, a collaboration intended to develop a workflow for measuring the amino acid content of plant-based proteins using a Waters device. The company said it is the first analytical instrument company to become a member of the center.

“Just as climate change and population growth are driving demand for alternatives to animal protein, changing consumer tastes are also creating a preference for healthy and more sustainable dietary options to meet their future needs and wants,” Warren Potts, senior director of global food and environmental business at Waters, said in a written statement. “Waters is proud to be the first analytical instrument company to join PPIC in its pursuit of alternative sources of proteins while addressing the issues of climate change and food security.”

In the announcement, Waters cited a July 2022 report from the Boston Consulting Group, which found agriculture is the largest global greenhouse gas emitter within the food system, accounting for 15% of global emissions.

If alternative proteins stay on the current track to mimic the taste, texture, and price of conventional animal proteins, the report said, it is estimated they will take up 11% of the food market by 2035 and reduce carbon dioxide emissions equal to 95% of what today’s aviation industry produces.