Enifer scales PEKILO Pet production, advancing fermentation-based protein for pet food

FINLAND –  Finnish biotech company Enifer has completed a 4-metric-ton production run of its PEKILO Pet protein ingredient, marking a key step toward commercial adoption as manufacturers begin formulation trials under real production conditions.

The milestone represents the first time PEKILO Pet is available in volumes suitable for industrial-scale testing, enabling pet food producers to evaluate performance across standard manufacturing processes. 

Delivered as a dry ingredient, the product is designed to integrate into both wet and dry pet food systems, including extrusion and retort applications.

“With this production run, we can move PEKILO Pet from the R&D lab to the factory floor and perform formulation trials under actual conditions,” said Jeroen Schweitz, chief commercial officer at Enifer. 

“We already know that PEKILO Pet performs well in both extrusion and retort systems, offering a new ingredient that combines nutrition, sustainability and differentiation in a demanding consumer market.”

PEKILO Pet is produced through a fermentation process that converts raw materials into protein-rich biomass, positioning it within a growing category of alternative proteins aimed at reducing reliance on conventional inputs such as soy and animal-derived ingredients. 

The ingredient is designed to support high-protein formulations while meeting the increasing demand for sustainable, traceable raw materials.

According to Enifer, the European pet food market is valued at tens of billions of euros and continues to expand, driven by premiumisation trends, rising pet ownership, and increased focus on functional nutrition. 

Protein ingredients are a key area of growth, particularly as manufacturers seek differentiated formulations such as hypoallergenic and exclusion diets.

“This production run provides manufacturers with access to meaningful volumes at a time when protein diversification, ingredient reliability and sustainability are top of mind,” said Simo Ellilä, chief executive officer at Enifer. 

“In a sea of novel proteins, PEKILO Pet offers flexibility in applications, ease of use and consumer acceptability.”

Supply chain resilience is also emerging as a critical factor shaping ingredient strategies. 

Volatility in global commodity markets, combined with shifting availability of traditional protein sources, has accelerated interest in locally produced and fermentation-based alternatives that can offer a more consistent supply.

Enifer’s move reflects a broader industry shift from pilot-scale innovation to the commercialisation of alternative proteins. 

While fermentation-derived ingredients have been under development for several years, scaling production to volumes suitable for industrial trials has remained a key bottleneck.

By enabling real-world testing, the company is positioning PEKILO Pet for integration into commercial product pipelines as manufacturers increasingly explore new protein sources that balance performance, cost and sustainability.

The company said it is working closely with pet food manufacturers and brands as they begin incorporating the ingredient into formulations, with further scale-up expected as demand for alternative proteins continues to grow.

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