China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has officially granted approval for the use of Calysta’s FeedKind single cell protein (SCP) in fish and shrimp feeds. This milestone comes after an extensive evaluation process and holds great promise for the aquafeed market in China, which is experiencing substantial growth.

Revolutionary Origins in Natural Gas Fermentation

The protein, known as FeedKind, is produced through a unique process involving microbes that feed on natural gas, specifically methane. This innovative approach was initially pioneered by the Norwegian state energy company Statoil and later acquired and refined by Calysta at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) in Teesside, UK.

FeedKind is manufactured in Chongqing, China, through a joint venture between Calysta, a US-based company, and Adisseo, an international feed additive heavyweight headquartered in China. The facility in Chongqing commenced operations in October 2022 and has the capacity to produce an impressive 20,000 tonnes of FeedKind annually.

Positive Impact on Aquaculture

Extensive trials have validated FeedKind’s effectiveness across various aquaculture species, including shrimp, seabass, and salmon. Research has shown that FeedKind not only promotes robust and healthy growth in shrimp but also enhances their immune response to vibrio, the causative agent of early mortality syndrome.

The approval of FeedKind in China coincides with a substantial increase in the country’s aquafeed market. According to market research firm IMARC Group, the market size reached 16.9 million tons in 2023 and is projected to grow to 30.6 million tons by 2032. In response to this growing demand, Calysseo has announced plans to expand production by 100,000 tonnes through the establishment of a facility in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, with an anticipated operational date by the end of 2026, subject to necessary construction and approvals.

Global Interest and Recognition

The impact of FeedKind extends beyond China’s borders, with energy giant BP expressing interest in siting FeedKind plants at its oil and gas sites. BP has also made investments in Calysta, further highlighting the global recognition and potential of this innovative protein source. In February of the previous year, FeedKind achieved Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing it to be used in salmonid feeds at up to 18% of the diet.