Original Title: Notice from the People’s Government of Pinggu District, Beijing Municipality, and the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission on the Issuance of the “Action Plan for Accelerating the Innovative Development of the Alternative Protein Industry in Pinggu District, Beijing (2025–2027)”
Developing the alternative protein industry is a key measure for implementing the "big agriculture" and "big food" perspectives, and holds significant importance for ensuring food security, fostering new momentum for the green economy, and achieving sustainable development. In accordance with the arrangements set forth in the "Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of Beijing as an International Green Economy Benchmark City" (Jingbanfa [2024] No. 7), and in light of the actual development of the alternative protein industry in Pinggu District, this Action Plan has been formulated.
I. General Requirements
(1) Guiding Principles
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, as well as General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches on Beijing. Focusing on the high-quality development of the alternative protein industry in Pinggu District,we will accelerate the construction of an innovation ecosystem and industrial system characterized by “breaking through foundational key technologies, empowering technology transfer through platforms, driving demonstration and promotion through practical applications, fostering and expanding emerging industries, and synergistically advancing regional development.” We strive to establish Pinggu District as a leading domestic hub for innovation, demonstration, and industrial clustering in the alternative protein industry.
(2) Basic Principles
Adhere to innovation-driven development and forward-looking planning. With the goal of addressing the needs of the alternative protein industry, accelerate the construction of a science and technology innovation system commensurate with its development. Focus on tackling key core technologies in the industry, promote the research and development of disruptive alternative protein technologies with national influence, and comprehensively enhance original innovation capabilities.
Adhere to market-driven principles with government guidance. Strengthen the leading role of enterprises as the primary innovators, fully leverage the decisive role of the market in resource allocation, optimize industrial planning, improve policy support, and enhance science and technology innovation services. This will stimulate innovation vitality, break through institutional and systemic barriers constraining industrial development, foster a fair and efficient environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, and accelerate the transition of scientific and technological achievements from the “laboratory” to the “production line.”
Adhere to systematic advancement and coordinated development. Promote the large-scale and distinctive development of the alternative protein industry; establish collaborative innovation platforms; integrate innovation elements from government, industry, academia, research, finance, services, and end-users; form a synergistic force for coordinated advancement; explore new food resources; extend related industrial chains, enhance value chains, and build supply chains; and gradually form a rationally laid-out, highly complementary alternative protein industrial ecosystem.
Adhere to green development and win-win cooperation. Develop green, low-carbon technologies and processes to promote the industry’s green development. Strengthen cross-sectoral and cross-organizational collaborative innovation to facilitate the efficient integration of innovation, industrial, capital, and talent chains, promote the rational flow of resources, and achieve resource sharing, complementary advantages, and mutually reinforcing development.
(3) Main Objectives
By 2027, the Pinggu District alternative protein industry will see comprehensive enhancements in its capacity to aggregate innovation resources, drive advanced technologies, and lead through demonstration applications.Develop 2–3 globally leading disruptive alternative protein technologies; create no fewer than 8 proprietary microbial protein patent strains (algal strains); establish at least 3 alternative protein R&D innovation platforms and 2 ton-scale pilot-scale process platforms; and secure approval for 1–2 new food ingredients and 10 innovative alternative protein products.Attract more than 12 enterprises to the area, build one comprehensive industrial park for alternative protein innovation, achieve an output value of approximately 1 billion yuan in the alternative protein sector, establish an international exchange platform for the alternative protein industry, and cultivate international alternative protein brands with Beijing characteristics. Initially establish a hub for innovative applications of alternative proteins with national leadership, and build a domestically leading alternative protein industrial cluster.
II. Key Tasks
(1) Strengthen R&D in Core Technological Breakthroughs
1. Deploy a group of strategic scientific and technological forces. Accelerate the construction of national-level projects such as the National Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Hub; attract and cultivate strategic scientists to plan industrial development; recruit domestic and international experts and scholars to form research teams; deepen cooperative relationships with high-quality research institutions and enterprises; and enhance joint research capabilities.Addressing major needs such as diversified food supply and improved public nutrition and health, we will focus on plant-based proteins, microbial proteins, and cultured proteins. We will undertake national and municipal strategic scientific tasks, conduct basic research in the alternative protein sector, and further enhance our capacity for original innovation. We will encourage major scientific research infrastructure to be opened up and shared with innovation entities in the alternative protein sector.
2. Undertake research on a series of key core technologies. Achieve breakthroughs in key technologies such as plant protein structural remodeling and the biosynthesis of functional components, and develop a product system of alternative proteins with flavors resembling chicken, beef, and seafood. Advance the construction of microbial protein strain repositories for filamentous fungi, yeast, and microalgae, and conduct research on the exploration and industrial application of microbial strains. Utilize synthetic biology technologies to construct high-efficiency cell factories and systematically improve the synthesis efficiency of target proteins.Combine high-throughput screening with adaptive evolution strategies to optimize protein synthesis pathways; develop intelligent continuous culture processes and dynamically regulated fermentation systems; achieve breakthroughs in key biomanufacturing technologies; and establish industrial-grade production quality control standards. Support research on cell-cultured protein platform technologies and achieve breakthroughs in core cell culture technologies. Deepen basic, applied, and interdisciplinary research in alternative proteins and nutritional health to comprehensively drive the innovative development of the alternative protein industry.
3. Establish an Innovation and R&D Platform for Alternative Proteins. Driven by key technologies, focused on the industrialization of alternative proteins, and led by technology-based enterprises, we will strive to build a comprehensive innovation platform integrating R&D, incubation, and technology transfer.Strengthen cooperation with domestic and international universities and research institutions, establish joint laboratories and R&D centers, and bring together top-tier global scientific resources and technical expertise to foster collaborative innovation. This will accelerate technology development, technology transfer, and demonstration applications, gradually establishing Pinggu District’s competitive advantage in the alternative protein sector.
(II) Accelerate the Commercialization of Cutting-Edge Scientific Achievements
4. Establish a Center for the Commercialization of Alternative Protein Research Achievements. Establish 1–2 industry-leading centers for the commercialization of research achievements that integrate industry, academia, and research. These centers will serve as a bridge from the laboratory to industrialization, accelerating the commercial application of research outcomes. Through university-enterprise collaboration, collaborative innovation, and policy incentives, promote the application of R&D achievements in plant-based proteins, microbial proteins, and cell-cultured proteins to relevant industries.In collaboration with universities, enterprises, and industry associations, establish an Alternative Protein Industry Alliance, bringing together at least eight leading enterprises in the sector to facilitate the practical implementation of research outcomes. Promote talent exchange, technology transfer, and industrial cooperation to drive innovation and upgrading within the alternative protein industry.
5. Establish an Alternative Protein Industry Collaborative Promotion Center. Bring together enterprises from the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the alternative protein industry chain, as well as renowned domestic and international universities and research institutions, to conduct joint research and development, thereby enhancing the industry chain’s and supply chain’s self-reliance and control capabilities. Establish an open technology platform to promote the application of cutting-edge technologies and improve production quality and efficiency. Establish a resource-sharing mechanism to achieve the shared development of R&D, production, and sales resources.Optimize supply chain management to ensure stable raw material supply and enhance the industry’s resilience. Promote the application of cutting-edge technologies in the alternative protein sector.
6. Develop a domestically leading alternative protein industrial park. In accordance with green and low-carbon standards, and centered on the needs for large-scale production of alternative protein product pipelines, create an industrial park dedicated to alternative proteins such as plant-based and microbial proteins. Accelerate the coordinated development of the industrial chain spanning R&D innovation, production and processing, and market promotion. Deepen international exchanges in scientific and technological innovation, explore diversified cooperation channels, and drive the park’s transformation from “learning and drawing on best practices” to “brand export,” and from “pioneering and piloting” to “demonstrating and leading.”
(III) Building a (3+X) Alternative Protein Industrial System
Focusing on cutting-edge global alternative protein technologies and future food industry demands, we will establish industrial systems for plant-based and microbial proteins, while driving other industrial directions such as cultured protein, insect protein, and synthetic protein. We aim to build a leading domestic hub for smart manufacturing and construct an innovative industrial ecosystem for alternative proteins.
7. Plant-Based Protein Industry. Targeting the cutting edge of the global plant-based alternative protein industry, we will accelerate the technological upgrading and large-scale development of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. We will promote fundamental technological innovation in plant protein structure and nutrition, with a focus on breakthroughs in plant protein separation, sustainable processing technologies, protein modification and tailoring, structural remodeling, protein nutrition, and protein metabolism.Develop automated production technologies, optimize process flows, improve energy consumption management, and reduce production costs. Design matrix-based nutritional products tailored to specific demographic needs and establish relevant quality standards to meet the nutritional requirements of special populations such as those with allergies, adolescents, the elderly, and fitness enthusiasts. Collaborate with international nutrition teams to promote plant-based dietary solutions for chronic diseases.
8. Microbial Protein Industry. Focusing on the innovative development of the microbial protein industry, we will prioritize the mastery of key core technologies in biomanufacturing, such as filamentous fungi, yeast proteins, and microalgae proteins. Utilizing high-throughput screening, plasma mutagenesis, and other technologies, we will construct proprietary strains with independent intellectual property rights. We will conduct research on the genetic stability of microbial strains, optimize fermentation processes for core strains, and develop precision control and automated production technologies.Analyze the dynamic patterns of fermentation process parameters to achieve online analysis and intelligent control of bioprocesses, and establish a technical system for core strains spanning laboratory-scale, pilot-scale, and industrial-scale production. Conduct research on microbial protein modification, flavor regulation, and the nutritional and functional characteristics of proteins. Establish an evaluation system for microbial proteins and facilitate the registration of new microbial protein food ingredients.
9. Cell-Cultured Protein Industry. Support research on cell-cultured protein platform technologies; achieve breakthroughs in high-efficiency cell proliferation and differentiation technologies; develop serum-free culture media to reduce production costs and ensure safety; research and develop scaffold materials to support three-dimensional cell growth and tissue-like reconstruction; innovate cultivation process technologies to enhance cell production efficiency; optimize bioreactor functionality to achieve large-scale, efficient, and stable cell growth; and develop cell harvesting and post-processing technologies to ensure product safety and edibility.
10. Other Alternative Protein Industries. Foster industries such as insect protein and synthetic protein, with a focus on researching efficient insect farming, processing, and protein extraction technologies; establish sustainable and efficient production systems by optimizing rearing environments, breeding high-yield strains, and improving resource utilization efficiency; develop innovative processes to enhance the flavor and texture of insect protein, increase its suitability for food applications, and promote its use in feed, functional foods, and other sectors.
(IV) Enhancing Support Capabilities for Innovative Development
11. Establish a world-class alternative protein biomanufacturing platform. Build a comprehensive alternative protein industrial platform that integrates R&D, production, testing, and promotion and possesses production qualifications. Construct advanced, automated, and intelligent pilot-scale fermentation facilities for microbial protein in standardized production plants to improve protein production efficiency and quality control standards. Fully leverage the resources and technological advantages of the Agricultural Zhongguancun Alternative Protein Research Center to build a domestically leading biomanufacturing platform for the alternative protein industry.
12. Establish a nutritional safety assessment platform for alternative proteins. Create a research platform for the nutritional safety of alternative proteins to comprehensively evaluate their nutritional safety characteristics and their potential in the prevention of chronic diseases. Advance research on new food ingredients such as microbial proteins and cell-cultured proteins, establish a scientific and reasonable evaluation system, and conduct technical safety and quality assessments.
13. Establish a service platform for the declaration of novel food ingredients. Create a one-stop service platform for the declaration of novel food ingredients to provide consulting services to enterprises. Forge strategic partnerships with national-level evaluation agencies and laboratories possessing relevant testing qualifications. Introduce specialized service agencies for novel food ingredient declarations within the Agricultural Zhongguancun to provide efficient and compliant declaration services, thereby supporting the healthy and orderly development of the industry.
14. Build a promotion platform for the alternative protein industry. Strengthen publicity and promotion efforts for the alternative protein industry and gradually cultivate well-known alternative protein brands. Organize the “Alternative Protein Future Food Expo” and collaborate with Beijing-based catering and food manufacturing enterprises to launch alternative protein products and menu options. Actively promote the development of a sustainable food culture and support the innovation and practice of green, low-carbon lifestyles.
III. Support Measures
(1) Strengthen Coordination and Collaboration
Actively seek guidance and support from relevant national and municipal departments, strengthen policy support in areas such as resource allocation, talent services, and spatial planning, and enhance policy support for industrial planning and layout, the implementation of major projects, and the opening of research facilities. Promote coordination between the municipal and district levels, collaboration among departments, and synergy between government and enterprises. Strengthen organizational coordination across platforms, industrial parks, and departments, and drive implementation through project-based and task-oriented approaches to advance the innovative development of the alternative protein industry in Pinggu District.
(2) Strengthening Intensive and Shared Use
Innovate land-use intensification methods, rationally allocate resources, adhere to a demand-oriented and application-driven approach, construct standardized pilot-scale production facilities, accelerate the industrialization of scientific and technological achievements, and expand industrial clusters. Deepen exchanges and cooperation, establish industry-academia-research-application consortia, and collaboratively conduct technical safety and quality assessments. Establish resource-sharing mechanisms to achieve shared development of research resources, pilot-scale workshops, and production and sales operations.
(3) Strengthen Policy Support
Increase policy innovation and fiscal support, actively seek to implement relevant national and municipal support policies in Pinggu District, and accelerate the cultivation of new momentum for green development. Implement the Pinggu District Alternative Protein Special Plan and explore pilot policies covering all stages of the alternative protein industry, including R&D, production, approval, and promotion.
(4) Strengthening Financial Investment
Strengthen the effective coordination and integration of support funds, and continue to ensure adequate funding for major scientific research initiatives, the implementation of major projects, and the establishment of major platforms. Optimize the district’s industrial development funding mechanism, leveraging the guiding role of government investment funds to attract social capital and support the sustainable development of Pinggu District’s alternative protein industry. Establish a district-level Future Food Industry Fund to support the incubation of innovative enterprises in the alternative protein sector, thereby promoting technological innovation, product development, commercialization of research outcomes, the clustering of upstream and downstream enterprises, and market promotion.
(5) Strengthening Talent Development
Increase efforts to attract and cultivate international high-end talent and high-level teams. Establish a think tank of domestic and international experts in the alternative protein industry to conduct in-depth research on future food trends, development pathways, and policy measures.Focus on attracting and cultivating multidisciplinary, skilled, and artisan-level talent, and vigorously develop applied, interdisciplinary, and critically needed professionals. Strengthen training in biosafety, ethical oversight, standards enforcement, market access, and corporate management to build high-quality, specialized teams. Support joint efforts between enterprises and universities to establish research bases and jointly cultivate professional talent.
