Enifer, a Finnish scale-up, is poised to revolutionize sustainable food production with the construction of the world’s first fungal protein factory. The company has secured full funding for the €33 million facility, which will produce Pekilo, a sustainable mycoprotein.
The Rise of Pekilo
A Sustainable Protein Source
Invented in the 1970s, Pekilo was the first commercial mycoprotein, initially used as animal feed. This fungal protein offers a low carbon footprint and minimal land use, making it an eco-friendly alternative to meat protein. Enifer has refined Pekilo for human consumption and plans to bring it to the mass market.
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Factory Development
The new factory, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, will be the first commercial plant to produce mycoprotein from food industry sidestreams. Located on Finland’s southern coast, the facility aims to produce 3,000 tons of Pekilo annually, enough to meet the protein needs of 40,000 people.
Production Process
Cultivating Fungal Proteins
Enifer will cultivate the fungus in a 12-meter-tall fermentation tank, circulating nutrients to grow the Pekilo. The biomass will then be heat-treated, harvested with centrifuges, dried with hot air, and milled into a powder. This finished product can be used in various foodstuffs, from alternative meats to breakfast cereals.
Partnership and Distribution
Early partners include Finnish dairy giant Valio and Nestle pet food brand Purina. Enifer’s CEO, Simo Ellilä, highlighted that Pekilo's end products will be competitively priced compared to other plant-based products.
Financial Backing
Funding Breakdown
Enifer’s funding package totals €36 million, exceeding the factory’s construction costs. This includes a €15 million Series B round led by Taaleri Bioindustry I, €9 million in loans from Finnish state-owned financing companies, and a €12 million grant from Business Finland.\
Construction and Employment
The factory is being developed on a brownfield site near Helsinki within an existing industrial building. Once operational, it will employ 15 people, contributing to the local economy and advancing sustainable food technology.
Addressing Past Challenges
Overcoming Plant-Based Setbacks
The previous wave of plant-based products faced issues with taste, health concerns, and industry pressures. Enifer aims to differentiate Pekilo with its neutral taste and color, enhancing the quality of plant-based products while providing a high-protein, high-fiber ingredient.
A Vision for the Future
Ellilä is confident in Pekilo's potential to reshape the plant-based food industry: "We really believe that mycoprotein will be an important part of the next generation of plant-based foods." He encourages skeptics to try Pekilo and experience its benefits firsthand.
Enifer’s groundbreaking fungal protein factory represents a significant step towards sustainable food production. With robust financial support and a promising product, the company is set to make a substantial impact on the global protein market, promoting environmental sustainability and animal welfare.
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Disclaimer
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source:TheNextWeb
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