Single cell producer Unibio signs commercial deal with Chilean distribution giant
It is its first international order of this magnitude. The partners did not disclose the actual volumes secured in the deal, however.
Grupo Blumos will be one of the first companies to use the novel protein on a large scale in aquaculture feed. "The first delivery is expected to take place in 2021," s spokesperson for Unibio told us.
Grupo Blumos is a regional leader in the supply and distribution of specialty ingredients for the food, feed, enology, flavors, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics industries. It has been in operation for over 75 years. It only entered the animal feed market in 2016. The group also has subsidiaries in Brazil, Peru and Argentina.
Uniprotein is based on fermentation of a microbial culture using methane as feedstock. Unibio said the product can replace high-value proteins like prime fishmeal and highly concentrated soy products.
“The advantages of using Uniprotein product in a feed mix instead of traditional protein are self-evident – no fish stock depletion, the oceans will not be overfished, no rainforests cut down, and a viable and economic use of methane,” said the Danish developer.
Studies in salmonids and piglets have shown that Uniprotein may improve growth and intestinal health, added Unibio.
Blumos and Unibio initiated the collaboration last year, focusing on testing Uniprotein in fish diets.
“We are very impressed with the protein developed by Unibio, and we look forward to distributing Uniprotein product to our customers in the aqua industry,” says Roberto Blum, CEO of Grupo Blumos. “We have tested the protein on salmon, and the results are very promising. The production method used to make Uniprotein product is also a potential game changer for the feed market.”
The first, licensed, full-scale plant for production of Uniprotein, built by Protelux, is being commissioned in Russia. Unibio says it is negotiating with several other investors regarding production facilities in North America, the Middle East and the Far East.
