MiAlgae has launched its omega-3 product NaturAlgae to market, following a recent expansion of its commercial production site at Balfron, near Stirling.
The biotech business recycles the co-products from the Scotch whisky industry, like pot ale, as a feedstock to grow omega-3 rich microalgae, which can then be used as part of fish and pet food.
The company’s unique manufacturing process aims to reduce global reliance on billions of wild-caught fish, the traditional source of omega-3.
Following the installation of eight new bioreactors at Balfron, MiAlgae will soon be producing hundreds of tonnes of the NaturAlgae powder per year - which can be added to recipes for pet food and aquafeeds.
With final commissioning underway, the vessels will enable MiAlgae to boost production capacity almost immediately, with a growing waiting list of customers.
Douglas Martin, founder and managing director at MiAlgae, said: “This expansion of our commercial production site marks a huge milestone on our journey to champion the circular economy.
“With the addition of our new equipment, we are now able to take our product to market at a meaningful scale with significant headroom to grow.”
Using the outputs from a single distillery, MiAlgae’s technology has the potential to save 80,000 tonnes of CO2, recycle 14.4 million litres of water and protect tens of thousands of tonnes of fish annually.
Earlier this year, the company announced a partnership with Falkirk Distillery, which will see its whisky co-products transported to MiAlgae’s site for production.
Martin explained: “We’re committed to scaling quickly and have plans to work closely with a number of distilleries across Scotland where we can co-locate MiAlgae’s technology with the distilleries, creating an on-site water recycling solution for the distillery, and a greater production capacity for MiAlgae.
“This will allow us to expand rapidly and make a very real stride towards the sector’s environmental goals.”
To help drive its planned expansion, MiAlgae has appointed Polly Douglas as business development manager.
She has expertise in aquaculture and nutrition, as well as recent experience in the biotech start-up space, joining from gas-fermentation company Deep Branch Biotechnology, where she was responsible for managing a portfolio of multi-million-pound grant funded projects.
Previously, Douglas managed funding for several research projects at the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre in Stirling.
“Joining at this exciting time, as production is increasing and our technology is proven, it’s great to be able to get out there and engage with customers,“ she said. “My role will be to identify strategic partners and future development opportunities, as well as develop an understanding of additional products in as yet un-identified markets.”
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