NovoNutrients turns industrial carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and naturally occurring microbes into various protein ingredient products. The process upcycles about two tons of CO2 for each ton of protein-rich ingredients.
The company announced on March 27 that after the successful production of carotenoids at a 1% weight percentage and in kilogram quantities, it will start to scale up production to metric ton quantities.
NovoNutrients utilizes CO2 and renewable energy through gas fermentation to offer more cost-efficient, scalable, and sustainable biomanufacturing in comparison to conventional production. It allows for the sale of natural carotenoids – natural pigments that act like antioxidants – at synthetic price levels.
Natural carotenoids are valued at over $7000 per kilogram pure, while synthetic carotenoids cost about $2000 per kilogram. According to Expert Market Research, the global carotenoids market is projected to be worth $2.3 billion by 2027.
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With its synthetic biology platform, NovoNutrients aims to transform markets beyond carotenoids. “Our platform technology seamlessly combines the production of traditionally expensive additives with making our high-quality, cost-effective, and eco-friendly protein,” said Kedar Patel, NovoNutrients’ SVP of biology.
The technology of NovoNutrients can use different mixed emissions gases, thus making carbon capture more economically efficient by reducing the concentration cost.
In July 2021, the alternative proteins company announced $4.7 million in venture backing from Hong-Kong based Happiness Capital.
Carotenoids are mainly found in plants like carrots and tomatoes and marine organisms and can have important health benefits such as better vision and immune system function.
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