Enifer partners FS to produce mycoproteins from corn ethanol side streams in Brazil

BRAZIL – Finnish biotech firm Enifer has partnered with Brazil’s leading ethanol producer FS to launch the first production of PEKILO® mycoproteins in South America, using side streams from corn ethanol processing. 

The project, set in Brazil, will use Enifer’s proprietary fermentation technology to convert thin stillage, typically a by-product of ethanol production, into 500 tonnes of PEKILO®Pet and PEKILO®Aqua mycoproteins annually.

This initiative marks the first time Enifer’s PEKILO® fermentation process will be deployed outside of Europe, and the first global use of corn ethanol-derived thin stillage as a feedstock for mycoprotein production. 

FS, which currently uses thin stillage to produce dried distillers’ grains (DDG) for animal feed, is integrating the fermentation system directly into its ethanol production operations to enhance resource efficiency and promote circular economy practices.

“Transferring this process across the Atlantic to a new continent and using a new agricultural side stream is a significant validation of the flexibility and robustness of the PEKILO® fermentation technology,” said Simo Ellilä, CEO and Co-founder of Enifer. 

“It shows that PEKILO® can deliver consistent performance from a wide variety of raw materials and in very different industrial settings.”

PEKILO®Pet and PEKILO®Aqua are single-cell proteins derived through a biomass fermentation process similar to that used in brewing. 

Using a proprietary fungal strain, the process produces protein-rich ingredients that are 60% protein, high in beta-glucan fibre, low in fat and carbohydrates, and easily digestible. 

These qualities make the ingredients particularly valuable for pet food and aquaculture feeds, where demand for sustainable, high-quality protein is surging.

“This project reinforces our commitment to innovation, science, and sustainability. We are adding extra value to second-crop corn by developing a relevant and innovative solution for animal nutrition, using a pre-existing raw material without compromising DDG production. This is a significant technological advancement for the sector,” expressed Rafael Abud, CEO at FS.

US$1.8 million investment to support partnership 

To support the scale-up, FS secured R$9.8 million (approximately US$1.8 million) in funding through Brazil’s Mais Inovação Brasil program, administered by the innovation agency FINEP. 

The funding will support the construction and operation of a pilot plant to advance fungal fermentation technologies and prepare for large-scale industrial production.

“With this funding, we will advance key stages related to fungal fermentation, enabling us to move toward industrial production. We will now implement our pilot plant, learn how to scale its operation and test the market with high-performance functional solutions for animal nutrition,” said Daniel Lopes, VP of Sustainability and Business Development at FS.

Once commercialised, the project could reach a full-scale capacity of 10,000 tonnes annually, positioning it as a significant new source of sustainable protein in Latin America. 

Enifer and FS plan to supply the product to the local Brazilian animal nutrition market, as well as export it to aquaculture-rich countries such as Ecuador and Chile.

The Brazilian initiative complements Enifer’s global expansion strategy. In Finland, the company is nearing completion of its first full-scale PEKILO plant, backed by €33 million (approximately US$38 million) in funding, which will produce up to 3,000 tonnes of mycoprotein annually. 

According to Enifer, these simultaneous developments in both hemispheres demonstrate the process’s adaptability to diverse raw materials, climates, and industrial ecosystems.

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