IAAS Agribusiness Mission Trip to Sweden 2025: Advancing Circular Economy and Agri-Food Innovation

IAAS Agribusiness Mission Trip to Sweden 2025: Advancing Circular Economy and Agri-Food Innovation

Uppsala, Sweden – 8th-10th September 2025: The IAAS Agribusiness Mission Trip to Sweden in September 2025 brought together industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs to explore cutting-edge developments in circular economy, carbon capture, and sustainable agri-food systems. Hosted across Uppsala and Stockholm, the programme combined high-level knowledge exchange, company visits, and strategic networking opportunities.

The mission provided IAAS members with first-hand exposure to Sweden’s innovation ecosystem—highlighting how science, policy, and entrepreneurship converge to drive sustainability in agriculture and food systems.

8 September 2025, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden

IAIC Conference: Carbon Capture & Circular Economy – Accelerating Sustainability through Entrepreneurship

The conference opened with a series of expert-led sessions focusing on circular bioeconomy, policy frameworks, and business innovation.

Opening and welcome speakers included:

• Prof. Ylva Hillbur, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
  – Opening Speech
• Dr. Lee Chee Wee, Chairman, International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS); Principal Scientist & Technology Advisor, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore
  – Welcome Speech
• Mr. Ludvig Hermansson, Country Manager of Singapore & Trade Commissioner to Malaysia, Business Sweden
  – Welcome Remarks
• Mr. Andrew Kwan, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Sweden
  – Keynote Speech

Session 1: Policies & Science for a Circular & Low-Carbon Bioeconomy

Speakers:

• Prof. Göran Ericsson, Dean, Faculty of Forest Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
  – Current and Future Sustainable Forestry
• Dr. Per Bodin, Environmental Objectives Coordinator, Swedish Board of Agriculture, Sweden
  – Policies for Carbon Removals in Agricultural Soils within the EU and in Sweden
• Prof. Lena Gipperth, Pro-Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
  – Funding Restoration of Marine Habitats
• Prof. Göran Bergkvist, Professor, Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
  – Cropping Systems for a Sustainable Future
• Prof. Björn Vinnerås, Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
  – Pollution Prevention by Resource Recovery

Fireside Panel:

• Moderator: Ms. Sara Arvidson, Director of Communication, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
• Panelists:
  • Dr. Per Bodin, Environmental Objectives Coordinator, Swedish Board of Agriculture, Sweden
  • Prof. Lena Gipperth, Pro-Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Dr. Erik Sindhöj, Senior Forskare, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Session 2: Circular Economy in Practice – Innovation, Business Models & Partnerships

Speakers:

• Prof. Helena Hansson, Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
  – Economic and Policy Perspectives on Circular Agrifood Systems
• Prof. Fredrik Gröndahl, Director, Blue Food Centre, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden
  – Blue Food Centre – Seafood for the Future
• Dr. Lee Chee Wee, Chairman, IAAS
  – Multilateral Aquaculture: Building a Resilient Food Future in a Circular Economy
• Mr. Alarik Sandrup, Director Public & Regulatory Affairs, Lantmännen, Sweden
  – A World-Leading Farmers’ Cooperative Driving the Circular and Bio-Based Economy in Practice

Fireside Panel:

• Moderator: Ms. Sara Arvidson, Director of Communication, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
• Panelists:
  • Prof. Helena Hansson, Department of Economics, Agricultural and Food Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
  • Prof. Fredrik Gröndahl, Director, Blue Food Centre, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden
  • Dr. Lee Chee Wee, Chairman, International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS)
  • Mr. Alarik Sandrup, Director Public and Regulatory Affairs, Lantmännen, Sweden

Session 3: Carbon Markets & Ecosystem-based Business Models

Speakers:

• Mr. Martin Persson, Management Consultant & Sustainability Expert, Eco-Innovation Foundation, Sweden
  – Wood Cities and Restored Landscapes – A Next Generation Growth Industry
• Dr. Steven Cheng, EMBO/MSCA Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute of Plant Breeding Research, Germany
  – Plant Disease Resistance Strategy using a Ribosylated Nucleotide Signal
• Mr. Gustaf Brandberg, General Partner & Co-Founder, Re:food Invest, Sweden
  – Food is Investable
• Dr. Tan Wee Liang, Chairman, Noah Initiatives; Director, Sunlit Asset Management, Singapore
  – The Progress Lethargy in Carbon Markets & Eco-based Business Model

Panel Discussion: Investing in Agri Ecosystems with Impact

• Moderator: Prof. Annie Koh
  – Advisor of Agribusiness Mission
  – Professor Emeritus of Finance (Practice), Singapore Management University
  – Board Director of Singapore Food Agency, Singapore
• Panelists:
  • Mr. Martin Persson, Management Consultant and Sustainability Expert, Eco-Innovation Foundation
  • Mr. Gustaf Brandberg, Co-founder of Re:food
  • Mr. Ang Yoke Kee – Managing Director, Pedigree Investment

The day concluded with networking sessions, fostering collaboration among delegates, researchers, and industry stakeholders.

9 September 2025 (Tuesday) @ Uppsala – Stockholm (Field Trip)

Innovation & Enterprise Site Visits

Delegates engaged directly with Sweden’s innovation ecosystem through curated site visits.

Site Visit 1: Green Innovation Park, Uppsala

Participating organisations included:

• SLU Holding AB – supporting innovation and commercialization at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
• Scilins AB – an emerging startup in the science and innovation sector.
• Agteria AB & Airis Garden AB – entrepreneurial ventures addressing climate challenges and sustainable ecommerce.

Site Visit 2: Deliplant, Uppsala

A leading Swedish food tech company specializing in plant-based protein innovation. Delegates gained insights into:

• R&D processes
• Sustainable sourcing strategies
• Market expansion approaches

Site Visit 3: Epicenter, Stockholm

A dynamic digital innovation hub bringing together startups and corporates. The visit highlighted:

• Cross-sector collaboration
• Digital transformation ecosystems
• Nordic innovation culture

The day ended with networking sessions, strengthening regional and international partnerships.

Day 4 – 10 September 2025 (Wednesday) @ Stockholm

Pitch & Networking Session (Organised by Business Sweden)

This session provided a platform for knowledge exchange and business collaboration between Singapore and Swedish agri-food ecosystems.

Programme Highlights

• Introduction to Sweden’s food and innovation landscape
• IAAS delegation and company presentations
• Insights into Singapore’s agri-food ecosystem

Swedish Company Pitch Sessions

Participating companies included:

• Deliplant
• Ecobloom
• Cassius
• Swegreen
• Ironic AB
• Scilins
• NitroCapt
• Proteininnovation
• Grale

Additional Presentations

• AgroClimate
• UseNexus
• ComCrop

The session facilitated discussions on:

• Investment opportunities
• Technology partnerships
• Market entry strategies

It concluded with networking and collaboration discussions aimed at catalysing cross-border partnerships.

Site Visit 4: Torsåker Gård (AxFoundation)

Delegates visited Torsåker Gård, a leading test farm and innovation hub for sustainable food systems. The visit showcased:

• Regenerative agriculture practices
• Circular farming models
• Integration of science, technology, and food innovation

Participants gained valuable insights into Sweden’s approach to building resilient and sustainable food systems.

The Sweden 2025 mission successfully demonstrated how collaboration between academia, industry, and government can accelerate innovation in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Through immersive learning and strategic engagement, IAAS members strengthened their global networks and identified new opportunities for partnerships and growth in the agri-food sector.

About IAAS

The International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS) is dedicated to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and innovations worldwide. By facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration, IAAS aims to address global food security challenges and support the development of resilient agri-food systems.