Unibio

Headquartered in Denmark, Unibio is a leading sustainable protein company that has developed the U-Loop® fermentation technology to produce Uniprotein®, a protein-rich biomass (~72% protein according to Unibio) that can be used as a direct supplement in animal feed compounds. Unibio specializes in sustainable protein systems and employs microbial fermentation to convert natural gas or methane, including bio-gas, into premium and environmentally friendly protein suitable for animal and fish feed. The company's innovative U-Loop® technology is distinguished by its resource efficiency, reducing land and water usage while promoting sustainability. Unibio's Uniprotein product has received approval from the European Union for use in animal and fish feed. Furthermore, it holds organic certification from Organic Farmers & Growers Ltd, a well-respected organic certification body authorized by the UK Government. Unibio maintains its pilot and R&D facilities, along with a demonstration plant in Denmark. The initial large-scale production facility, built and managed in collaboration with Unibio's partner, Protelux, is in the commissioning phase in Russia.

Unibio's patented U-Loop® technology employs a continuous-flow fermentation method that replicates a natural occurrence and uses gases, such as methane, to generate Uniprotein. In this process, microbes thrive on methane as their source, transforming into single-cell protein – Uniprotein. Uniprotein is a sustainable protein, which the company claims is comparable to other high-quality sources like fishmeal and soy protein with an amino acid composition that closely resembles that of fishmeal. Uniprotein has received approval for use in the diets of both land and aquatic animals within the EU, and global registrations are currently underway. According to the company, this protein maintains consistent high quality, is pesticide-free, fully traceable, and non-genetically modified. It has already entered the commercial market, sparking significant interest from customers worldwide, showing positive results in terms of acceptance and growth. It serves as a viable alternative to high-quality fishmeal (LT Fishmeal) and soybean meal, which are becoming scarce resources, as demonstrated in the amino acid composition comparison. Furthermore, as of November 2023, Uniprotein was undergoing development for potential direct human consumption.

Key customers and partnerships

In October 2021 , Unibio achieved a significant milestone by making its inaugural commercial shipment of Uniprotein to Danish Agro. Danish Agro announced that Uniprotein had proven highly suitable for piglet feed and would be incorporated into its feed mixtures as a protein supplement alongside potato flour and fishmeal starting from October 15, 2021. 

Unibio also conducted trials with BioMar and DTU Aqua, the National Institute of Aquatic Resources at the Technical University of Denmark. The trial results, announced in March 2022 , were highly successful, characterized by increased feed intake and enthusiastic adoption by the fish. Following a standardized methodology, the trial demonstrated that Uniprotein can be included in trout diets up to 15% while maintaining the same high protein digestibility as fishmeal.

In October 2022 , Unibio announced that its strategic licensing partner, Gulf Biotech, an industrial biotech investor based in Doha, has progressed to the final stage before commencing the construction of Qatar's first single-cell protein plant by entering the Front-end Engineering Design Stage. The plant was projected to have an initial production capacity of 9,000 tonnes of protein per year and would use Unibio's U-Loop® technology. In August 2023 , the company signed an MOU with SAGIA, the General Investment Authority of Saudi Arabia, initiating preparations for the establishment of a protein production plant in Saudi Arabia.

Funding and financials

In March 2023 , the Saudi Industrial Investment Group signed an agreement to invest ~USD 70 million in Unibio. The investment in Unibio was to be be paid in two tranches: the first tranche of approximately ~USD 25 million was paid in March 2023 with the second subject to applicable Foreign Direct Investment approvals. The funds were to be used to roll out new global production capacity, increase operating capabilities, and accelerate innovation and commercialization.