Unibio

Unibio is a biotechnology company that has developed a novel technology to produce sustainable protein from natural gas. Founded in Denmark, the company's patented U-Loop fermentation technology converts methane into a high-protein product called Uniprotein. This process mimics a natural occurrence where microbes consume methane in lakes. Unibio's technology utilizes the microbe Methylococcus capsulatus, which feeds on methane gas along with oxygen and minerals, to produce a biomass containing 70% protein.

The resulting Uniprotein product is used as a supplement in animal feed, particularly for aquaculture, livestock, and pet food. It serves as an alternative to traditional protein sources like fishmeal and soy, offering environmental benefits by reducing pressure on fish stocks and land use for soy cultivation. Uniprotein is non-GMO, fully traceable, and free from pesticides and fertilizers.

Unibio's production process is highly efficient, using minimal water and being unaffected by weather conditions. The company claims that the land required to produce one ton of soy protein can yield 14,000 tons of Uniprotein. In January 2017, Unibio opened its first production facility in Kalundborg, Denmark, with an annual capacity of 80 metric tons. As of 2023, the company was exploring opportunities to scale up production globally through partnerships and licensing agreements.

Key customers and partnerships

Unibio has established several key partnerships and customer relationships. In December 2020, the company signed a significant agreement with Grupo Blumos, a South American feed and food company, for a large order of Uniprotein to be used in fish and shrimp feed. This marked Unibio's first international order of considerable magnitude.

Unibio also has an offtake agreement with Vestjyllands Andel, a Danish animal feed manufacturer. In 2019, Mitsubishi Corporation became a shareholder in Unibio, leading to the development of a partnership between the two companies. Additionally, Unibio has collaborated with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in developing its technology and has worked with other academic institutions on projects to further develop and tailor its protein products.