Inspiring CO2 circularity by introducing carbon transformation to our plates

Descrizione del progetto

Conversione della CO2 in proteine alimentari

Solmeyea, un’azienda biotecnologica, è all’avanguardia nella produzione di ingredienti alimentari funzionali dalle microalghe grazie alla sua innovativa tecnologia di fermentazione verticale ibrida delle microalghe (HVF). Questo processo utilizza la CO2 e l’energia rinnovabile per creare proteine a zero emissioni di anidride carbonica; il loro prodotto di punta, MEY, è la prima proteina non OGM derivata dalla CO2. MEY soddisfa elevati standard di sicurezza per il consumo umano, posizionando Solmeyea come leader nell’innovazione alimentare sostenibile. Il progetto C-2C - Protein, finanziato dal CEI, utilizzerà questo come punto di partenza, combinando tecniche di fermentazione di gas e microalghe per convertire la CO2 in una proteina alimentare funzionale bianca autorizzata. Questa proteina derivata da microalghe offre vantaggi ambientali, tra cui un’efficienza del terreno 30 volte superiore e una sostenibilità 400 volte maggiore in termini di utilizzo dell’acqua e di impronta di carbonio rispetto alle proteine approvate dalla FDA/EFSA.

Obiettivo

REVOLUTIONIZING FOOD PRODUCTION WITH CO2 INPUTS AND CARBON-NEGATIVE MICROALGAEE PROTEINS
Solmeyea is a biotech company producing functional food ingredients as an alternative to both animal- & plant-based proteins. Our groundbreaking, IP-protected Hybrid Vertical Microalgae Fermentation (HVF) technology, enables microalgae fermentation using CO2 in lieu of carbon substrates and Greece's abundant Renewable Energy Sources. This combination results in the production of carbon-negative, microalgae-derived proteins in various colors requiring 0.1% of the crops-land on 200x higher yields of the same proteins.
ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY, GEOPOLITICS & ECONOMIC IMPACT
Our HVF not only unlocks the full potential of microalgae but also addresses EU’s critical challenges, reducing reliance on heavily commoditized and price-volatile crops and glucose. We support food security, facilitate the production of fermented CO2-derived food proteins and replace imported, highly processed and environmentally harmful crop-derived ones. We ensure the efficient production of food ingredients, contributing to national and EU GDP and empower the EU to regain independence and geopolitical competitiveness.
SOLUTION: MEY PROTEIN FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AT SCALE
MEY is the first-ever non-GMO protein produced from CO2 with the highest standards for human consumption. Through the pioneering combination of gas and microalgae fermentation, we transform SCOPE:1 CO2 into authorized, white, functional food protein. Compared to any FDA/EFSA-approved protein, our microalgae-derived MEY demonstrate 30x higher land-efficiency and 400x more sustainable in terms of water and carbon footprint.
EICA SUPPORT: ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY TO TRL:9 AND BEYOND
It will propel Solmeyea's CO2-Bioconversion and microalgae fermentation system to (TRL) 9, projecting an annual revenue of €190 million by 2029. Our integrated AI models ensure precision, efficiency and cost-effectiveness at both our demo and future flagship devel