{"id":153374,"date":"2024-11-11T07:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=153374"},"modified":"2024-11-05T10:19:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T09:19:46","slug":"a-novel-means-of-converting-co2-into-aquafeeds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/a-novel-means-of-converting-co2-into-aquafeeds\/","title":{"rendered":"A novel means of converting CO2 into aquafeeds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p>A new, safer and faster way of converting CO2 into protein suitable for aquafeeds is being developed by b.fab, a German startup which aims to help establish a network of simple but effective production hubs around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.thefishsite.com\/fish\/articles\/Hatch\/b-fab-team-photo.jpg?width=1340&amp;height=0\" alt=\"The b.fab company team.\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3241106719367588;width:802px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The team behind b.fab&#8217;s biotech innovationsFounder, Frank Kensy, is on the left&nbsp;\u00a9 b.fab<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>That is the vision of *<a href=\"https:\/\/bfab.bio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">b.fab<\/a>&nbsp;founder, Frank Kensy, who has made several breakthroughs which suggest that the mainstream CO<sub>2<\/sub>-to-protein process \u2013 as championed by fellow startups such as Deep Branch (now&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/aer.bio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AerBio<\/a>) or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.novonutrients.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Novo Nutrients<\/a>&nbsp;\u2013 is harder to implement due to explosion risks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A biochemical engineer, with nearly 25 years of experience in the biotech sector, Kensy had his eureka moment while doing a PhD in microbioreactors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cStandard bioreactors are very laborious and cumbersome, so I looked to find an easier solution,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He made sufficient progress to set up his own company, selling devices to monitor and accelerate the bioprocess development in microbioreactors (BioLector technology), this gave him valuable insights into a wide range of applications in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefishsite.com\/category\/biotechnology\">biotech<\/a>&nbsp;space and, after selling his original startup, Kensy decided to devote his energy to setting up a new company involved in CO<sub>2<\/sub>&nbsp;utilisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"BorlabsCookie _brlbs-cb-youtube\"><div class=\"_brlbs-content-blocker\"> <div class=\"_brlbs-embed _brlbs-video-youtube\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_brlbs-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-content\/plugins\/borlabs-cookie\/assets\/images\/cb-no-thumbnail.png\" alt=\"YouTube\"> <div class=\"_brlbs-caption\"> <p>By loading the video, you agree to YouTube&#8217;s privacy policy.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/policies.google.com\/privacy?hl=en&amp;gl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Learn more<\/a><\/p> <p><a class=\"_brlbs-btn _brlbs-icon-play-white\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-unblock role=\"button\">Load video<\/a><\/p> <p><label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"unblockAll\" value=\"1\" checked> <small>Always unblock YouTube<\/small><\/label><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><div class=\"borlabs-hide\" data-borlabs-cookie-type=\"content-blocker\" data-borlabs-cookie-id=\"youtube\"><script type=\"text\/template\">PGlmcmFtZSB0aXRsZT0iQSBub3ZlbCBtZWFucyBvZiBjb252ZXJ0aW5nIENPMiBpbnRvIGFxdWFmZWVkcyAtIFRoZSBzaG9ydCBvZiBpdCIgd2lkdGg9IjUwMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyODEiIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS1ub2Nvb2tpZS5jb20vZW1iZWQvcVNfeHhLUlU3Zzg\/ZmVhdHVyZT1vZW1iZWQiIGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyPSIwIiBhbGxvdz0iYWNjZWxlcm9tZXRlcjsgYXV0b3BsYXk7IGNsaXBib2FyZC13cml0ZTsgZW5jcnlwdGVkLW1lZGlhOyBneXJvc2NvcGU7IHBpY3R1cmUtaW4tcGljdHVyZTsgd2ViLXNoYXJlIiByZWZlcnJlcnBvbGljeT0ic3RyaWN0LW9yaWdpbi13aGVuLWNyb3NzLW9yaWdpbiIgYWxsb3dmdWxsc2NyZWVuPjwvaWZyYW1lPg==<\/script><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe found a technology in Israel that converts CO<sub>2<\/sub>: in the first step by electrochemistry, bringing CO<sub>2<\/sub>&nbsp;and electricity together in an electrolyser, to produce formic acid. This is the main feedstock for our bioprocess, in which bacteria convert this formic acid into protein,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s quite simple \u2013 you need a CO<sub>2<\/sub>&nbsp;source together with a source of renewable electricity and that\u00b4s all to produce the formate. The produced formate is then fed into a bioreactor and let the bacterial cells grow on the formate. Finally, we generate a high cell density which is then spun in a centrifuge and in a last step, the biomass is dried in a spray drier to get the single cell protein,\u201d he adds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the end product is not particularly unique, the process has two significant advantages over conventional processes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe produce the protein using just CO<sub>2<\/sub>&nbsp;and electricity. The main difference is that we have a proprietary pathway which is more efficient than the standard ones and our feedstock for the fermentation is a liquid,\u201d Kensy emphasises.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis makes the fermentation quite easy \u2013 you can feed the liquid into standard bioreactors and we do not have the problems that come with using pressurized and explosive gases. In these cases, safety measures require appropriate sensors, controls and strong reactors, all adding on the production costs.\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of turnaround time, Kensy says that it typically takes about a week to produce a (fed-)batch of protein, but adds that he aims to produce it in continuous mode, with a continuous input and output of feedstock and protein respectively, making production as efficient as possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.thefishsite.com\/fish\/articles\/Biotech\/Bfab-bioreactors-credit-bfab.jpg?width=650&amp;height=0\" alt=\"a b.fab bioreactor at work.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The b.fab bioreactors at work \u00a9 b.fab<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The end product<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The resulting protein is, according to Kensy, similar to fishmeal and soy meal in terms of its amino acid profile, while it has a higher overall protein content than the other two, reaching up to 80 percent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it could be used for feeding a range of animals, he is targeting aquaculture due to its rapid growth and its demand for more scalable and more sustainable protein sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have a source that\u2019s deforestation-free, that doesn\u2019t even need arable land and can heavily support the growth of the industry,\u201d he reflects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, in terms of cost, Kensy projects the protein will be eminently affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have already calculated that we can at least reach price parity with fishmeal and this will be lower in time. Our main costs will be electricity, and the prices are generally coming down, the more renewable energy plants are installed, and in some regions they are already very low,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also expects that feed producers will welcome the additional volumes that his process could create.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith fishmeal stagnating we can install new plants and increase productivity to ensure we can deliver supply,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of location, Kensy is keeping an open mind, as long as the sites have access to reliable supplies of renewables, as well as some heavy industry to provide the CO<sub>2<\/sub>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Industry reaction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Kensy has only had tentative conversations with aquafeed producers so far, but says their feedback has been positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey like it, but we have to deliver more volumes, meet more specifications, and conduct feeding trials \u2013 we still have some homework to fulfil their standards and specifications,\u201d he reflects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of Hatch Blue\u2019s current&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hatch.blue\/crest-accelerator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Crest accelerator<\/a>, Kensy has been given the chance to meet with more aquafeed producers, as well as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefishsite.com\/species\/salmonids\/atlantic-salmon\">salmon<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefishsite.com\/species\/crustaceans\/shrimp\">shrimp&nbsp;<\/a>farmers \u2013 with trips scheduled to Hawaii and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefishsite.com\/country\/no\">Norway<\/a>, followed by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefishsite.com\/country\/sg\">Singapore<\/a>and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefishsite.com\/country\/vn\">Vietnam<\/a>&nbsp;as part of the programme.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe were happy to join Crest as a chance to really get to know the aquaculture industry better. Understand their challenges and work closely with them,\u201d he observes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.thefishsite.com\/fish\/articles\/Biotech\/bfab-product-mockup-credit-bfab.jpeg?width=650&amp;height=0\" alt=\"A mock-up of b.fab's protein product.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kensy has a particular interest in the aquaculture industry as a market for his product<br>\u00a9 b.fab<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Milestones and challenges&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Kensy first came up with b.fab\u2019s concept in 2018, translating it into an operational company in 2021 and by the following year he had developed a demonstratable process for producing a number of individual products \u2013 protein, more specific amino acids, biopolymers, lactic acid, crotonic acid and fatty acids.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cProduction of our protein is the most advanced, but it\u2019s still at laboratory scale, now we have to step up to pilot scale \u2013 first with the protein, then with some of the other products,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once they have produced a meaningful volume of protein, Kensy is keen to start feeding trials \u2013 the results of which he expects to be available within a year, thanks to the fast-track nature of his technology.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe first scale up to the pilot plant should only take three months. The advantage of our technology is that we can use standard scale-up centres to produce several kilos, enough for feeding trials. We\u2019re going to first look into the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefishsite.com\/species\/salmonids\">salmon<\/a>market, then&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thefishsite.com\/species\/crustaceans\/shrimp\">shrimp<\/a>,\u201d he points out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Kensy is complimentary about the current team members \u2013 Armin Kubis, head of synthetic biology; Florent Collas, head of process engineering; and Tim van der Linden, CFO \u2013 he is also aware that expansion will be necessary once more product is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have all the expertise to develop the process, to scale and to commericalise the process, but will need to hire people to extend our expertise into the market,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.thefishsite.com\/fish\/articles\/Hatch\/Blue-Ocean-Mariculture-Hawaii.jpg?width=650&amp;height=0\" alt=\"Two submersible fish pens.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">b.fab recently visited Blue Ocean Mariculture&#8217;s kanpachi farm in Hawaii. The startup is currently taking part in Hatch Blue&#8217;s Crest accelerator programme<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Investor ready<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to scale up and launch on the market he is currently looking to raise several million Euros and he has a clear message to potential investors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur advantage is that our competitors mainly work with gases and need specific bioreactors, but we have a liquid feedstock that can be used in standard bioreactors in existing plants. That means our scale up can be much faster. And our market launch can also be much faster. That\u2019s our offer to investors,\u201d Kensy points out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">As for the business model?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cInstead of building directly our own production plant, we could work with CMOs first or buy existing plants. If feed producers already have their own fermentation plants we could give them the strains and the standard operation procedures and they can produce it themselves,\u201d says Kensy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe want to licence the technology to feed producers, we want to be the key license provider for the whole aquafeed sector and provide them a sustainable and long-term solution. Later on, we want to broaden our product portfolio and expand our unique biomanufacturing platform to other fields such as the food, chemical and cosmetic sector,\u201d he concludes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*b.fab is part of Hatch Blue&#8217;s investment portfolio, but The Fish Site retains editorial independence.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rob Fletcher has been writing about aquaculture since 2007, as editor of\u00a0<em>Fish Farmer<\/em>,\u00a0<em>Fish Farming Expert\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0<em>The Fish Site<\/em>. He has an MA in history from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc in sustainable aquaculture from the University of St Andrews. He lives in Scotland.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new, safer and faster way of converting CO2 into protein suitable for aquafeeds is being developed by b.fab, a German startup which aims to help establish a network of simple but effective production hubs around the world. That is the vision of *b.fab&nbsp;founder, Frank Kensy, who has made several breakthroughs which suggest that the [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":153385,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"b.fab, a German startup, has made several breakthroughs and aims to help establish a network of simple but effective production hubs around the world","footnotes":""},"categories":[5571],"tags":[25108,5796,10744,13911,12417,10743],"supplier":[4535,15479,15889],"class_list":["post-153374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-co2-based","tag-aquafeeds","tag-biotechnology","tag-carboncapture","tag-electricity","tag-proteins","tag-useco2","supplier-aer-bio","supplier-b-fab-gmbh","supplier-deep-branch-biotechnology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153374"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153374\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/153385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153374"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=153374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}