Key Takeaways
- Unibio, in partnership with Saudi Industrial Development Group, will build a major single-cell protein plant in Saudi Arabia, starting operations in 2028.
- The facility will produce 50,000 tons of ‘Uniprotein’ annually, with plans to increase capacity to over 300,000 tons, supporting local food security.
- This innovative gas fermentation technology aims to reduce reliance on land-based agriculture and improve feed production efficiency.
Danish Firm Targets Global Protein Production
Unibio, a Danish gas fermentation company, is set to construct what it claims to be the world’s largest single-cell protein plant in partnership with Saudi Industrial Development Group (SIIG) in Saudi Arabia. This facility will utilize the region’s abundant natural gas as feedstock, initially producing 50,000 tons of protein annually, with plans to expand production to over 300,000 tons in the future. This project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s increasing focus on food security and aims to decrease its reliance on animal feed imports.
The protein product, branded as Uniprotein, has received approval for use in aquaculture within Saudi Arabia and in the European Union, with additional global registrations expected. Construction is anticipated to commence in the latter half of 2026, with commercial operations projected to begin in 2028. Unibio has secured a gas allocation from the Saudi Ministry of Energy, marking a significant milestone after its initial partnership with SIIG in 2023, which involved a $70 million investment.
Financially, SIIG will contribute 80% of the equity while Unibio will provide 20%, supplemented by bank financing. A joint venture team is already in place to oversee the project’s engineering, procurement, construction, and startup phases, highlighting progress on this groundbreaking initiative.
Innovative Technology for Sustainable Production
Unibio is part of a select group of startups leveraging gas fermentation to detach food and feed production from agricultural land. The company has developed a patented bioreactor, the “U-Loop,” which optimizes gas and liquid transfer in a continuous biomass fermentation process. This technology has shown promise at an industrial level, particularly in a previous project in Russia.
Amid rising interest in food security following recent global events, Unibio is shifting its focus towards the Middle East, where food production challenges prevail. CEO David Henstrom noted that Saudi Arabia, which imports most feed ingredients, could greatly benefit from local production capabilities. Current geopolitical tensions reinforce the urgency for enhanced local food and feed production in the region.
Uniprotein aims to enter the MENA aquafeed market, particularly for shrimp and carnivorous fish, and to explore potential exports to Asia and the pet food market in Europe. It is positioned to provide a reliable source of protein, counteracting the strains faced in fish meal supply.
Why Gas Fermentation is a Game Changer
Gas fermentation presents several advantages over traditional sugary feedstocks. Using abundant, non-edible carbon sources like methane reduces land usage, and costs associated with carbon conversion are significantly lower compared to glucose fermentation. Additionally, gas fermentation minimizes contamination risks, enabling longer operational campaigns.
Despite its clear benefits, this innovative approach faces challenges, including high capital costs for establishing new facilities. Nevertheless, Unibio secured substantial funding in a challenging market in early 2023, attracting interest from sovereign wealth funds and family offices.
Key features of Unibio’s technology include the cultivation of a non-GMO methanotrophic bacterium that efficiently converts methane into protein. The U-Loop reactor design optimally fosters gas-liquid transfer, boosting productivity. Unibio expects significant advancements in productivity levels by 2026.
As the demand for sustainable protein sources grows, Unibio’s project in Saudi Arabia signals a significant shift toward innovative solutions that enhance local food security while addressing global protein needs.
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