Espoo-based Enifer, a biotech startup, announced that it has secured over €12M in grants from Business Finland for its PEKILO mycoprotein factory.
The funding, from the EU’s NextGenerationEU instrument, aims to build first-of-its-kind industrial facilities for recycling and reusing by-products, aligning with the circular economy action plan and Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland.
A new commercial-scale factory
Enifer’s upcoming commercial-scale factory will produce PEKILO mycoprotein ingredients using fungal fermentation.
As reported by Enifer, the PEKILO process, originating in the 1970s, was the world’s first commercial mycoprotein production method, transforming forest industry by-products into sustainable feed protein until 1991.
Enifer has enhanced the process, creating a food-grade ingredient with a neutral taste and colour, rich in protein and fibre. Anticipating regulatory approval in the first half of 2024, the product can be used similarly to plant-based proteins in the food industry.
Enifer’s new facility, costing €30M and set for completion by the end of 2025, will annually produce 3 million kg of sustainable, locally sourced PEKILO mycoprotein.
Equivalent to protein in meat from 30,000 cows, it boasts at least 20 times lower carbon emissions and reduced water and land use. Production will ramp up in 2026, with the location in the Uusimaa region to be announced in Q1/2024.
Simo Ellilä, CEO and co-founder of Enifer says, “A key objective for the original developers of PEKILO was to take this amazing source of protein to food applications. It is an absolute privilege for Enifer to be able to finally complete that mission, more than 50 years on.”
“This plant will be a critical stepping stone to scaling the production of PEKILO as a truly universal protein source – which we aim to commercialise globally across different applications.”
“Thanks to the unique history of PEKILO, we are able to take this giant leap from our existing pilot directly to a commercial-scale facility.”
“We are extremely grateful for the financial support approved by Business Finland and the European Union NextGenerationEU programme, which will enable us to take this huge step in the coming year,” adds Ellilä.
Brief about Enifer
Enifer, a 2020 spin-off from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, focuses on advancing the PEKILO technology. This process, initially from the Finnish forest industry, converts dilute side streams into high-protein PEKILO mycoprotein.
The company has established partnerships with major global players in the feed and food industries, including Skretting, Purina, and Valio.
In spring 2023, Enifer raised €11M in Series A funding.
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