Calysta to produce FeedKind® protein, a sustainable feed ingredient, in Teesside
Wilton, United Kingdom – September 19, 2016 – Leading retailers, producers, investors and government representatives from around the globe gathered in the north of England today to mark the opening of an historic facility that will help meet the protein demands of the world’s growing population.
USA-based Calysta (www.calysta.com) chose Teesside as the base for its state-of-the-art facility to manufacture sample quantities of FeedKind® protein, a proprietary, competitively priced new fish and animal feed ingredient targeted at replacing fishmeal.
Produced using the world’s only commercially validated gas fermentation process, FeedKind protein is a natural, traceable and safe non-animal source of protein. FeedKind protein is approved for sale and use in many animal feeds in the EU and has been tested on multiple fish species, including salmon. The facility will become fully operational in Q4 2016.
Earlier this year Calysta partnered with Cargill for production of FeedKind protein in North America and entered into a global joint marketing agreement. A world scale plant is expected to open in the United States by 2018.
Alan Shaw, Ph.D, Calysta President and CEO, said: “The opening of this plant represents the end of a decade of development and heralds a new era in the race to sustainably feed the world’s growing population.
“By 2050 the global population is expected to rise from 7.4 billion today to 9.6 billion and require 70 per cent more protein than is currently available. Calysta can help meet this need by supplying the aquaculture industry with a naturally produced, sustainable and traceable feed alternative to replace conventional ingredients based on fishmeal and soya. Calysta’s proprietary technology enables retailers and consumers to have increased confidence in the integrity of their food.
“Our first focus is the salmon farming industry and we were very pleased to welcome representatives from a number of key producers today. FeedKind protein has been shown to improve growth rates, nitrogen retention and gut health in Atlantic salmon.”
Anna Turley, Member of Parliament for Redcar, officially opened the facility adjacent to the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI). She was joined by Dr. Shaw and Nigel Perry, CEO of CPI.
The plant is supported by a conditional Exceptional Regional Growth Fund (EGRF) award and represents a total potential investment of £30 million. When completed, the facility is expected to provide employment for 35 to 40 people.
Anna Turley MP said: “It was an honour to open Calysta’s market introduction facility today. As well as generating investment and employment in Teesside, this facility puts the UK at the forefront of the race to address the world’s growing protein demand with novel technologies. I am really pleased that Calysta have chosen to base their biotech project here and look forward to seeing the facility develop further.”
The official opening at the Wilton Centre was followed by a conference hosted by Calysta to discuss the increasing worldwide demand for fish protein, traceability and sustainability. Representatives from Marine Harvest, Sainsbury’s and Rabobank took part in a panel discussion at the event.
Based in Menlo Park, California and established in 2011, Calysta brings together experts in biotechnology and product innovation to focus on commercialising disruptive, sustainable technologies
In February 2016 Calysta announced $30 million in Series C funding including an investment from Cargill. To date, the company has raised approximately $50M.
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For more information contact: Natalie Buxton, [email protected], 0141 333 0557, or Lyn Christenson, [email protected] 650.492.6880, x.200 or Calysta Media Information, [email protected].
About Calysta
Calysta, Inc. (www.calysta.com), Menlo Park, CA, is an innovator in sustainable products. Calysta Nutrition develops and commercialises fish and livestock nutritional products improving food security worldwide.
About the Government’s Regional Growth Fund
The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) has supported eligible projects and programmes raising private sector investment to create economic growth and lasting employment. Since its launch in 2010 it has invested £2.6 billion to help local businesses grow and take on more staff across England.
On average for every £1 invested through the RGF, the private sector has put in £5.50 with the total investment of private sector support expected to be £16 billion. 187,000 jobs have already been created and a total of 557,000 are expected by the mid-2020s.