Researchers from the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) at the University of Greenwich have strengthened partnerships with researchers, industry leaders and food-sector experts in Vietnam during a visit to Hanoi, focused on advancing food innovation, food safety and sustainable plant protein solutions.
The NRI team attended the International Conference on Quality Management and Food Safety (QMFS 2026), hosted by Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST). The conference brought together national and international experts to discuss the latest developments in food safety, quality management, biotechnology, food processing and sustainable food systems.
NRI researchers were at the forefront of discussions on the future of sustainable food systems throughout the conference. In a keynote address, Dr Parag Acharya explored how rice-processing by-products, often viewed as waste, could become a valuable source of sustainable protein, presenting a vision for innovation-driven partnerships between the UK and Southeast Asia. Building on this theme, NRI and HUST co-hosted a Plant-Based Protein Workshop, bringing together researchers, businesses, policymakers and international stakeholders to examine how science, industry and collaboration can accelerate the transition towards more sustainable protein production.
The workshop showcased cutting-edge research from across the partnership. Professor Ben Bennett highlighted opportunities within Vietnam's rice value chain to recover high-value protein from rice bran, while Dr Conor Walsh presented findings on the environmental impacts and sustainability credentials of rice protein and other Southeast Asian plant-based products.
Valerie Pondaven, NRI's Food Accelerator Manager, shared insights from supporting innovative plant-based food start-ups, highlighting pathways for Vietnamese entrepreneurs and researchers to connect with international partners, networks and markets. The lively discussions that followed demonstrated a strong appetite for deeper collaboration and laid the foundations for future joint research and innovation initiatives across the region.
A key milestone during the visit was the launch of the Plant Protein Plus Network UK–Southeast Asia (3PUKSEA), which will provide a platform for researchers, businesses and stakeholders to develop new partnerships and drive innovation in sustainable plant-protein production. As part of the programme, the NRI delegation, alongside UK-based entrepreneur Sam Duong of Ming Foods, visited Future Generation Co., the producer of the popular Cozy Tea brand. Organised with support from colleagues at HUST, the visit provided valuable insight into Vietnamese food manufacturing and enabled discussions on both the opportunities and challenges facing the country’s food industry. The visit demonstrated the importance of bringing together research expertise, industry experience and international collaboration to develop practical solutions for more sustainable and resilient food systems.
Through the Plant Protein Plus UK–Southeast Asia initiative, partners will explore how rice-processing side-streams can be transformed into affordable and sustainable plant-protein ingredients, contributing to climate-smart innovation, improved food security and greater socio-economic resilience. For NRI, the visit reinforces the value of long-standing partnerships with universities, businesses and research organisations across Southeast Asia, while creating new opportunities for collaborative research, innovation and knowledge exchange in the years ahead.