Calysseo on track to deliver novel feed protein ingredient to Chinese customers this year

27-Jun-2022 - Last updated on 27-Jun-2022 at 15:31 GMT

The Calysseo site under construction in Chongqing, China, November 2021 © Calysseo

Related tags Single cell protein Aquaculture Calysta China

Calysseo, a joint venture between Adisseo and Calysta, says commissioning and start-up activities have commenced at the partners’ single cell protein (SCP) production facility in Chongqing, China.

The plant will produce 20,000 tons annually of FeedKind branded protein for use in aqua feed. Initially, output will be available for use in China’s aquaculture market.

The partners outlined how one of the benefits of its SCP is that it helps decouple feed production from land. Its production model relies on a proprietary, commercially validated gas fermentation process using naturally occurring, non-GM microbes that use methane as their energy source.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the Calysseo team said they were able to maintain schedule of the facility; they expect the protein ingredient to be delivered to the first customers this year.

Jean-Marc Dublanc, CEO of Adisseo, said: “We have a long-running commitment to improving the security and sustainability of the feed ingredient market and Calysseo fulfils a significant part of that pledge. We will provide Chinese customers with a reliable, domestically available supply of protein that meets their specific needs; produced in China for China.

“We are looking forward to working with our customers as they begin to integrate this product into their supply chains.”

Market demand

Asked whether the JV has already secured several offtake agreements for the output from the Chinese facility, a spokesperson said the partners would not be disclosing such information. The representative did stress though that Calysseo has received strong interest in FeedKind from across the Asian aquaculture sector throughout the construction phase.

FeedKind has been validated over several years with trials undertaken in multiple aquaculture species, including seabass, bream, and salmon.

Thailand’s Kasetsart University, Thailand, late last year found distinct benefits of FeedKind for shrimp in relation to growth and helping activate shrimp’s immune response to Vibrio, the causative agent of Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), a disease that has wreaked havoc on the Asian aquaculture market, causing billions of dollars in losses.

Calysta’s protein platform is also approved for use in livestock feeds and pet food.

The JV partners are now focusing on bringing the next phase of the development forward, bringing output to 80,000 tons per year.