Enifer starts commissioning mycoprotein factory in Finland

FINLAND – Biotechnology company Enifer has started commissioning its first industrial-scale PEKILO® mycoprotein factory in Kantvik, Finland, moving the facility closer to commercial production with a planned capacity of 500 kg of dry mycoprotein per hour.

The commissioning phase has begun with testing of the first equipment at the facility, which was built as a brownfield project within an existing industrial building. 

The site has access to steam, electricity, process and cooling water, as well as wastewater treatment infrastructure.

At full capacity, the plant is expected to produce 500 kg/h of PEKILO® mycoprotein.

 The protein is produced by cultivating a specific fungus through fermentation, with Enifer describing the process as similar to those used in brewing beer and producing soy sauce.

The company says PEKILO® powder contains high-quality protein and fibre and has a neutral colour and taste. 

The facility is expected to produce an amount of protein equivalent to that provided by 30,000 cows, while generating at least 20 times lower carbon emissions, according to Enifer.

Finland seeks new protein sources for animal feed

The investment comes as Finland continues to develop domestic alternatives to imported protein feed ingredients. 

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) has reported that the country’s self-sufficiency in supplementary plant-based protein used in animal feed is only around 15%, with imported soybean and other protein sources forming an important part of livestock diets.

Finnish research is also examining alternative protein sources for poultry and other livestock production. 

Luke has identified replacing imported soy with new protein sources as an important area for more sustainable poultry production, including research into legumes, grass protein and insect protein.

PEKILO® therefore adds a fermentation-based protein source to Finland’s growing range of alternatives being explored for feed applications.

The commercial-scale facility could also provide a domestic production base for Enifer as demand grows for locally produced protein ingredients.

The project has received funding through the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme. Once commissioning is completed, the Kantvik facility is expected to move into commercial operations.

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