US biotech company LanzaTech has announced plans to expand into the alternative protein market, producing a microbial protein using recycled carbon.
The company transforms waste carbon into sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials, and is now expanding its biorefining capabilities to produce a new protein product, LanzaTech Nutritional Protein (LNP).
By using a new microbe in its proprietary gas fermentation process, LanzaTech aims to produce a cost-comparative, nutrient-rich protein solution that can support a resilient food supply chain. According to the company, LNP has the capability to address food security issues and be produced anywhere in the world, independent of weather extremes, while using a fraction of the land and water required to produce traditional protein sources. The ingredient has a complete amino acid profile and no allergenicity.
Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, said: “By coupling a new microbial production strain with our existing bioreactor technology, and our years of operating experience, we have developed a path to mass produce protein from CO2. For two years, we’ve operated a pilot facility to prepare for commercialisation, and in the process, we’ve partnered with leading brands and food testing organisations for rigorous analysis and prototyping of nutrition applications.”
She added: “We have now progressed into the engineering design phase for a 0.5 to 1.5 ton per day facility, expected to be operational in 2026, and have developed a roadmap to commercial-scale production in 2028.”
LanzaTech’s platform can already produce commercial-scale volumes of ethanol for apparel, packaging, surfactants and sustainable aviation fuel. Now, it will be equipped to produce large quantities of protein. By 2050, the world population is projected to reach ten billion people, requiring an additional 250 million metric tons of protein annually.
The company is in the process of completing trials and testing in animal feed and pet food, and is currently in the process of completing the US Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized as Safe certification process for LNP’s use in human nutrition formulations.
The Center for Aquaculture Technologies has successfully tested LNP for fish feed applications, while human food and beverage innovation firm Mattson has completed ‘thorough’ protein characterisation and food prototyping for dish concepts such as smoothies, dairy-free cheese, and bread.
LanzaTech has also partnered with the US Navy Research Lab on a joint R&D project, jointly funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Office of Naval Research, and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, to evaluate the viability of creating nutritional proteins on military platforms.
Matthew Yates, research biologist at the US Naval Research Laboratory, said: “We are excited to collaborate with LanzaTech on this groundbreaking extension of their carbon recycling platform. Together we are exploring the biomanufacturing potential of a nutritional protein product made from CO2 extracted from seawater.”
“Integrating LanzaTech’s state-of-the-art gas fermentation technology with the US Naval Research Laboratory’s Seawater Carbon Capture Process presents a valuable opportunity to develop a unique capability to meet the nutritional needs of soldiers and sailors across the Joint Forces, while simultaneously enhancing the resilience of military operations in an evolving geopolitical landscape.”
Top image: © LanzaTech
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