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How Didi Gan turned a pile of discarded mandarin peels, crab shells, and durian husks into a patented antimicrobial technology — and a Singapore-based deep-tech company with global ambitions.
It started with a pile of fruit peels and a question no one else was asking.
It was Chinese New Year 2020. Didi Gan was sharing drinks and snacks with her aunt and her best friend when the news from Wuhan was becoming impossible to ignore. The world was running low on masks and antimicrobial solutions. And sitting in front of her was a pile of discarded mandarin peels, crab shells, and durian husks, the kind of food waste that gets thrown away without a second thought. Around the same time, her daughter developed eczema from alcohol-based sanitizers.
Those two moments — one global, one deeply personal — became the founding story of N&E Innovations and its flagship technology, ViKang: a natural, bio-derived antimicrobial additive made from upcycled food waste, now used in sustainable packaging and coatings around the world.
Take us back to the beginning. How did ViKang go from a spare room experiment to a patented technology?
I teamed up with my long-time friend and scientist, Dr. Jaslyn Lee, and we began experimenting in my spare room, turning food waste into a functional, antimicrobial material. We started small, but our purpose was clear: to protect people and the planet by transforming waste into wellness.
The first challenge was technical, choosing the right feed, and proving that food-waste compounds could perform as powerfully as synthetic antimicrobials. Then came the skepticism: convincing buyers that something derived from durian husks and cashew shells could meet global food-safety standards. We also faced the classic start-up hurdles — limited funding, regulatory complexity, and the steep climb of scaling from lab to factory. But each challenge reinforced our belief that innovation and sustainability can co-exist. Today, ViKang is patented, certified, and commercialized, proof that purpose-driven science can lead real change.
What does N&E Innovations actually make — and what problem does it solve?
We transform upcycled food waste into ViKang, a natural antimicrobial additive that can be embedded into plastics, coatings, and packaging. Our latest innovation is a bio-based PVC clingwrap infused with ViKang that keeps food fresher for longer while reducing plastic waste and chemical use.
The problem we tackle is twofold: the world produces billions of tonnes of food waste, and relies heavily on toxic or single-use plastics. By converting food waste into functional additives, we reduce landfill emissions, cut carbon footprints, and replace petroleum-based chemicals with bio-derived alternatives.
We like to say: one roll of our wrap protects your food — and the Earth too.
What trends are shaping your industry right now?
We’re witnessing the convergence of the circular economy and active packaging, where packaging doesn’t just protect food, but actively extends shelf life, reduces waste, and adds functionality. There’s also growing regulation around PFAS and toxic additives, which opens up huge opportunities for safer, plant-based alternatives like ours.
Sustainability is no longer a trend; it’s the baseline. The next wave of innovation will come from materials that are alive with purpose.
You are a woman founder in deep-tech and biotech — fields that are still heavily male-dominated. Why did WBE certification and joining WEConnect International matter to you?
As a woman founder in deep-tech and biotechnology, visibility and access often come harder. Becoming certified and joining a global women’s business network like WEConnect International means opening doors — not just for my company, but for the women scientists, engineers, and innovators who walk this path after me.
It’s also about credibility. In global supply chains, being part of a verified women-owned network builds trust with corporate buyers who value diversity, sustainability, and innovation. For me, it’s about representation, showing that women can lead science-based, impact-driven enterprises that change the way the world makes and consumes materials.
We’ve only recently joined WEConnect International, but I already see how powerful this community can be. Being part of a global network of women-owned businesses opens doors that would have taken years to reach on our own. WEConnect International is already helping us connect with potential buyers from multinational companies.
Where is N&E Innovations headed over the next few years?
We’re scaling our ViKang technology platform globally, starting with Europe and the UK, where we’re launching our bio-based antimicrobial compostable wraps. Our goal is to upcycle 100 tons of food waste annually into antimicrobial materials that replace traditional plastics and chemicals. We also plan to partner with major food and packaging manufacturers to embed our additive directly into supply chains.
In the next five years, I see N&E Innovations becoming a global circular-materials company, where every product we make contributes to a cleaner planet.
What advice would you give to other women building businesses, especially in science and innovation?
Start from a problem that touches your heart, because passion sustains you when funding and results don’t come easy. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, even when it’s unconventional. Don’t wait for permission to innovate. The world needs your ideas now more than ever.
And remember: sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet. It’s about building businesses that last, by creating real value for people and nature alike.
About N&E Innovations
N&E Innovations Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based deep-tech company founded by Didi Gan. The company transforms upcycled food waste into ViKang, a patented natural antimicrobial additive used in sustainable packaging, coatings, and plastics. This innovation has received global recognition, including the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2026 (Food Category), presented by the President of the United Arab Emirates. N&E Innovations is expanding globally with a focus on Europe and the UK, and is working toward upcycling 100 tons of food waste annually. N&E Innovations is a WEConnect International certified Women’s Business Enterprise. vi-kang.com
