An Estonian food technology company has reached a significant milestone in its journey to revolutionize the production of fats and oils. The firm, which leverages advanced biotechnology to create sustainable ingredients, has successfully scaled up its fermentation process to an impressive 10,000-liter batch size. This breakthrough not only demonstrates the viability of their innovative approach but also paves the way for commercialization and regulatory approval.

Over the past year, the company has made remarkable progress, moving from laboratory-scale experiments to pilot-scale production. With the support of industry giants ADM and Temasek’s joint venture ScaleUp Bio, they have achieved a major leap forward. The start-up's proprietary technology uses yeast to transform agricultural byproducts into valuable components like lipids, proteins, antioxidants, and pigments. This achievement sets the stage for submitting their EFSA novel food permit application and significantly enhances efficiency in both fermentation and recovery processes.

Pioneering Biotechnology Brings Sustainable Ingredients Closer to Market

The development of this groundbreaking biotechnology marks a critical step toward bringing environmentally friendly fats and oils to market. By converting agricultural byproducts into high-value ingredients, the company is embracing circular economy principles that reduce waste and promote sustainability. The successful scaling of the fermentation process to industrial levels showcases the potential for large-scale production of these innovative products.

The biotechnological solution utilizes yeast as a catalyst to transform underutilized resources into essential nutrients. This method not only addresses the challenge of scaling up deep-tech innovations but also offers a promising alternative to traditional fat and oil production methods. The start-up has reported significant improvements in both fermentation yield and downstream recovery, achieving a 48% increase in titer yield and a 60% enhancement in recovery efficiency. These advancements underscore the robustness and scalability of their technology, positioning them favorably for commercial success.

Regulatory Milestones and Commercial Readiness Accelerate Growth

Scaling up to an industrial-level batch size of 10,000 liters represents a pivotal moment for the start-up. It not only validates the effectiveness of their technology but also prepares them for the next crucial steps: obtaining regulatory approval and entering the commercial phase. The achievement sets the stage for submitting their EFSA novel food permit dossier, a key requirement for market entry.

Co-founder and COO Petri-Jaan Lahtvee emphasized the importance of this milestone, noting that scaling up is one of the most challenging aspects for deep-tech startups. By proving the feasibility of their technology at an industrial scale, the company has taken a giant leap toward making sustainable fats and oils a viable reality. This accomplishment accelerates the timeline for commercialization and regulatory approval, bringing the innovative product closer to real-world applications. The improved efficiency in both fermentation and recovery processes further strengthens their competitive edge, ensuring that they are well-prepared to meet market demands.