New protein ingredient delivers overwhelming results in aquafeed

Aerbio’s protein ingredient Proton™ in powder form. Photo: Aerbio Is it possible to improve feed conversion ratios by 10% in aquafeed applications while cutting reliance on fishmeal? Peaking at 30% for salmon? For a Danish biosolutions company, the answer is yes. Trial results from Aerbio’s innovative protein ingredient, Proton™, demonstrate its potential to transform the aquafeed industry.

Aerbio’s protein ingredient Proton™ is showing substantial promise. Rigorously tested, the protein
ingredient’s performance in feed conversion trials has exceeded all expectations.
In trials conducted by independent third parties, Proton™ has replaced fishmeal at 5–20% inclusion
rates in commercial-like feed mixes, used as control diets. The outcome was an improved feed
conversion ratio of 10% for shrimp, while the salmon feed conversion ratio improved up to a
remarkable 30% in some tested feed formulations.

The commercial upside is significant. Based on the current market pricing of incumbent protein
ingredients, Aerbio estimates that using Proton™ could increase aquafeed value chains’ earnings
with up to €700 per tonne of aquafeed where Proton™ is included. Proton™ targets an annual
aquafeed market well above 50 million metric tonnes.

“The results have been overwhelming even for us,” says Aerbio’s CEO, Kaspar Kristiansen.
“To meet the protein needs of the future, we need to think innovatively, and that is what our team
has done with Proton™. In itself, our product holds strong traits, but in a wider perspective, we
believe our technology is the large-scale solution to meet the demand for protein in aquafeed.”
Delivering measurable value

Proton™ is developed through a globally patented technology that uses microbes to convert CO₂
into premium protein. Produced without arable land and requiring minimal fresh water, the protein
ingredient can significantly lower CO₂ emissions aside from the improved feed conversion ratios. In
addition, Proton™ is produced entirely without marine inputs.

“We have on-going trials in collaboration with leading aquafeed players, and our focus is to
integrate Proton™ into their formulations. We will deliver at value-based price points, based on
measurable real-world performance of our protein ingredients,” says Kaspar Kristiansen.

With the world population projected to increase by over 20% by 2050, salmon and shrimp are set
to become even more important food sources. Last year, a report from The Nature Conservancy’s
Aquaculture Science Hub projected that the demand for salmon will increase by 40% within the
next seven years.

Aerbio is gearing up for scale-up starting with a demonstration plant and subsequently the
company’s first commercial plant. The Danes are currently fundraising for these next steps.
For additional comments and information:

Kaspar Kristiansen, CEO of Aerbio
+45 31 14 22 44
krk@aer.bio