Plantible Foods Launches First Commercial Facility for RuBisCO Protein

Plantible Foods, an innovative startup specializing in the extraction of RuBisCO—a highly-functional protein from the rapidly growing aquatic plant lemna (also known as duckweed)—has officially announced that its first commercial facility located in Eldorado, Texas, is now fully operational.

Expansion Plans in Motion

Last year, Plantible secured a $30 million Series B funding round co-led by Piva Capital and Siddhi Capital. The company is currently exploring additional financing options to triple production capacity at its facility, which currently boasts the ability to produce thousands of metric tons of biomass each year, yielding hundreds of metric tons of protein.

Technological Advancements and Strain Optimization

In its quest for efficiency, Plantible Foods has also upgraded its protein filtration system, enhancing its potential for achieving cash flow positivity. Co-founder and CEO Tony Martens shared insights with AgFunderNews about the introduction of a proprietary lemna strain that provides a higher protein yield. He stated, “We focus on two parts: how much RuBisCO can we derive per ton of biomass and how much can we grow per acre per year. To this end, we have screened over 400 different lemna strains to optimize both outputs.”

Building Investor Trust

Martens emphasized that the company’s ability to secure long-term offtake agreements and modular scaling—focusing on scaling out rather than up with tried-and-true technology—has significantly contributed to building trust with investors. “We already have new strains planned for rollout in 2026,” he noted, indicating the company’s commitment to continuous improvement.

Meeting Consumer Demands

“Plant-based protein formulators have been searching for a clean label, highly functional replacement for chemically derived binders such as methylcellulose,” said Paul Peterson, global alternative proteins leader at ICL Group. “In partnership with Plantible Foods, we have created a market-leading binding solution that meets the needs of even the most discerning consumers.”

Rubi Protein: A Game-Changer in Plant-Based Nutrition

Extracted from lemna, Plantible’s ‘Rubi Protein’ shows significant advantages over traditional plant protein sources. It contains all essential amino acids and has a protein digestibility (PDCAAS) score of 1.0, comparable to that of animal protein. The protein also has a neutral taste, odor, and color, allowing it to be marketed as ‘lemna leaf protein,’ which is self-GRAS (generally recognized as safe) in the U.S.

Wide Application Potential

While often categorized as an alternative protein startup, the appeal of Rubi Protein for food companies transcends mere plant-based categorizations. Martens explained that its unique functional properties, such as emulsification, gelation, and binding, make it suitable for a variety of applications, including baked goods, coatings, and dairy products, both plant-based and traditional.

The Future of Clean Labels

As trends shift towards cleaner labels, the demand for removing allergens and synthetic ingredients continues to rise. “Egg replacement has gained traction in the food industry, and many companies are eager to eliminate allergens for greater accessibility,” said Martens. “The first retail products featuring Rubi are set to launch in September.”

RuBisCO: The Next Big Thing in Plant Protein?

Recognized as one of the most abundant proteins on the planet, RuBisCO holds nutritional and functional characteristics that rival those of animal proteins. Despite this, extracting it cost-effectively poses challenges. Other players, such as New Zealand-based Leaft Foods and ProLeafEra, have ventured into the commercial space, showcasing mixed results.

As the demand for high-quality, functional plant proteins grows, Plantible Foods is poised to significantly shape the future of the food industry with its cutting-edge technology and commitment to sustainability.