NoMyPro - scaling circular mycoproteins for more sustainable aquafeeds

Food production today has a massive environmental footprint, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater usage, and deforestation. In Norwegian aquaculture, feed accounts for nearly 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. Less than 1% of current feed uses sustainable ingredients, none of which originate from Norway. SINTEF has analyzed a range of alternative protein sources and concluded that aerobic fermentation of micro organisms will be a key technology for high-volume, sustainable feed ingredient production. NoMy, Norway’s only commercial player dedicated to creating sustainable proteins from fungal mycelium, is looking to develop innovative products for a circular bioeconomy and to improve food security. Challenges abound - process efficiency, economics, and ensuring protein quality - but the project partners’ focus on efficiency, quality, consistency and safety charts a promising path forward. Dairy industry side streams, often overlooked and expensive to dispose of, poses a significant waste problem due to its volume. However, its nutrient density renders it ideal for filamentous fungi fermentation, sparking a circular approach to resource utilization. Testing mycoprotein as a feed source through collaboration with Skretting marks a crucial step. Documenting its suitability for feed production in nutritional benefits validates the innovation. Techno-economic assessments and life cycle analyses also play key roles, offering insights into sustainability and risk management. This project, if successful, promises new revenue streams for NoMy through sale of mycoprotein-based feed ingredients. Strategic steps to mitigate risks, secure agreements, and scale production align with a goal to produce 9,000 tons annually from dairy side streams by 2030. Partnerships fuel this journey, benefitting research and industry partners, and aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Global food production suffers from lack of circular solutions and high environmental costs. It contributes to 1/3 of all GHG emissions, 70% of freshwater usage, and 80% of deforestation. Utilizing more ocean-based resources is crucial. In aquaculture, feed represents nearly 80% of GHG emissions and is the highest cost component. Only 0.4% of the current feed mix comes from sustainable novel ingredients, none of which from Norway. SINTEF has analyzed a range of alternative protein sources and concluded that aerobic fermentation of micro-organisms - including fungi - will be a key technology for high-volume, sustainable feed ingredient production in Norway. NoMy, Norway’s only commercial player dedicated to creating sustainable proteins from fungal mycelium, is looking to develop innovative products for a circular bioeconomy and improving food security. Challenges to reach the market include process efficiency, economics, protein content and quality - addressed head-on as NoMy’s process is developed from the ground up with a focus on efficiency, quality, consistency and safety. Dairy whey, provided by TINE, is currently highly underutilized, costly to dispose - and due to its high volume - constitutes a global environmental issue. Low digestibility is limiting its direct application for aquaculture feed, while its high lactose and protein content make it an attractive feedstock for utilization via filamentous fungi fermentation. By focusing on this feedstock, the project is also looking circularize value chains. The application of mycoprotein as a protein source for aquafeed will be tested in a feeding trial designed and executed in collaboration with Skretting - documenting results as technically and nutritionally suitable for feed production, and safeguarding fish health and welfare. In addition, TEA and LCA will provide insights into the circular economy value proposition towards sustainability, and is a part of de-risking additional investments and upscaling.