In Denmark, Unibio will begin large-scale production of single-cell protein animal feed from natural gas by year-end after completing a technology upgrade to its U-Loop process. The process creates favorable growth conditions for bacteria by continuously adding oxygen, natural gas, catalysts, and minerals. Methane is then converted into a highly concentrated protein. The company was able to increase yields by achieving higher gas transfer.
“This technology upgrade makes producing UniProtein much more efficient in terms of productivity and energy usage but also helps us maintain a significant lead over legacy technologies,” says Henrik Busch-Larsen, CEO of Unibio.
According to Unibio, the protein is a sustainable alternative to animal feed and is comparable to LT fishmeal. Adding it to the animal’s diet reduces the amount of feed necessary and minimizing nitrogen excretion. The protein has been tested for salmon, calves, pigs, and chickens and is approved by the European Union.