Saudi Arabia to Establish World’s Largest Single-Cell Protein Plant for Aquafeed
In a significant move for sustainable aquaculture, alternative feed ingredient supplier Unibio has announced a partnership with the Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) to develop a groundbreaking single-cell protein facility in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
Project Overview
The joint venture aims to produce a staggering 300,000 metric tons of single-cell protein annually, primarily catering to the aquaculture sector. This initiative positions the facility to become the world’s largest producer of single-cell protein.
SIIG is set to finance 80 percent of the entire project, which underscores the commitment towards enhancing protein production in the region.
Unibio’s Technological Edge
Based in Denmark, Unibio has developed an innovative method of producing single-celled proteins—referred to as “Uniprotein”—using natural gas as a fermentation substrate. Earlier in 2023, SIIG had already made a substantial investment of $70 million (€61 million) into Unibio, further solidifying their collaborative effort.
With Saudi Arabia’s abundant natural gas reserves, the location is deemed highly suitable for Unibio’s state-of-the-art technology. “This significant buildout will allow Uniprotein to augment feed formulations without sacrificing growth performance, thus helping aquaculture become less reliant on overfishing and fluctuating marine ingredients,” said Unibio CEO David Henstrom.
Plant Capacity and Objectives
The facility is initially expected to produce 50,000 metric tons of Uniprotein annually, with plans to scale production to over 300,000 metric tons in subsequent years. One of the primary goals of this plant is to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on imported animal feeds.
An Innovative Future
Unibio’s pioneering technology is seen as a significant leap toward establishing a reliable and sustainable protein supply for aquaculture. “The world needs innovators committed to ensuring food stability for future generations. Our gas fermentation technology is particularly suited for Saudi Arabia,” Henstrom added.
Timeline for Construction
Construction for the new facility is slated to begin in the second half of 2026, with operations anticipated to commence by 2028. The Saudi Ministry of Energy has already secured a gas allocation for the project, and a site has been earmarked for development.
Market Reach
The Uniprotein produced at this new factory is expected to cater not only to the domestic market but also to international clientele. Currently, Uniprotein meets feed approval standards in the EU and other territories, with ongoing registration efforts for additional markets.
SIIG CEO Abdulrahman Alismail expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to help develop this project alongside Unibio and look forward to bringing sustainable protein production to Saudi Arabia, our region, and beyond.”
This initiative represents a vital step towards advancing aquaculture sustainability and reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional fish feed sources.
