Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SynoProtein (Carbon capture from syngas to Single Cell Protein (SCP) and use as fish feed ingredient)
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-02-28
Today, the aquafeed industry faces a huge protein supply gap. The European aquafeed industry, in particular, imports over half of the protein used in their products. Therefore, novel and low-footprint alternative protein sources are urgently needed.
The SynoProtein project aims to develop, mature, and demonstrate a novel carbon-negative process that converts forest residues into Single-Cell Proteins (SCP) for fish feed, along with the production of biochar for animal feed. By transforming low-value by-products into high-value bio-products, SynoProtein will provide a sustainable protein alternative to soybean and wild fish protein, to meet future demands. By leveraging carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies, the project aligns with the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and climate neutrality goals.
This project joins together a balanced consortium of 11 partners, covering the whole SynoProtein value chain, from industry, academia, and research institutes, which spread to 4 different European countries (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany), but with worldwide operation with their sister companies.
The SynoProtein project aims to develop, mature, and demonstrate a novel carbon-negative process that converts forest residues into Single-Cell Proteins (SCP) for fish feed, along with the production of biochar for animal feed. By transforming low-value by-products into high-value bio-products, SynoProtein will provide a sustainable protein alternative to soybean and wild fish protein, to meet future demands. By leveraging carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies, the project aligns with the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and climate neutrality goals.
This project joins together a balanced consortium of 11 partners, covering the whole SynoProtein value chain, from industry, academia, and research institutes, which spread to 4 different European countries (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany), but with worldwide operation with their sister companies.
During the first 18 months, the project achieved significant achievements:
• Developed and optimized the alternative protein processes in lab scales, achieving close to targeted performance.
• Pre-engineering designs and techno-economic models for full-scale plant were completed, providing scale up potential and guidance for the project.
• Investigated the preliminary suitability of the single-cell proteins and biochar for aquaculture and agriculture feed
• Preliminary LCA were completed, providing guidance for environmental hotspots and process improvements.
• Developed and optimized the alternative protein processes in lab scales, achieving close to targeted performance.
• Pre-engineering designs and techno-economic models for full-scale plant were completed, providing scale up potential and guidance for the project.
• Investigated the preliminary suitability of the single-cell proteins and biochar for aquaculture and agriculture feed
• Preliminary LCA were completed, providing guidance for environmental hotspots and process improvements.
SynoProtein is poised to deliver:
• Environmental: Reduction in GHG emissions by replacing carbon-intensive protein sources.
• Economic: Cost-competitive SCP production, with potential savings from optimized processes.
• Social: Enhanced food security and rural employment through localized biomass valorization.
The project’s innovations—validated at pilot scale by 2025—will pave the way for commercial adoption, supporting the EU’s bioeconomy and Green Deal objectives.
• Environmental: Reduction in GHG emissions by replacing carbon-intensive protein sources.
• Economic: Cost-competitive SCP production, with potential savings from optimized processes.
• Social: Enhanced food security and rural employment through localized biomass valorization.
The project’s innovations—validated at pilot scale by 2025—will pave the way for commercial adoption, supporting the EU’s bioeconomy and Green Deal objectives.