LanzaTech Global, a carbon recycling company transforming waste carbon into sustainable fuels, chemicals, materials, and protein, plans to expand its biorefining platform capabilities to include operations that produce LanzaTech Nutritional Protein (LNP) as the primary product.
LNP is a microbial protein that is a nutrient-rich alternative to plant and animal-based proteins. By using a new microbe in its proprietary gas fermentation process, LanzaTech’s biorefining platform can produce a cost-competitive protein solution that supports a resilient food supply chain. LNP production has the capability to address food security issues and be produced anywhere in the world, independent of weather extremes. Notably, the production of LNP uses a fraction of the land and water resources that traditional protein sources require.
With the development of LNP production facilities, LanzaTech will gain access to the large and growing alternative protein markets, diversifying its customer base, expanding its sources of revenue, and optimizing the value creation driven by its existing, proven platform.
“Building on the expertise of our commercially operating core gas fermentation process, LNP represents a natural expansion of our business,” said Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. “By coupling a new microbial production strain with our existing bioreactor technology, and our years of operating experience, we have developed a path to mass produce protein from CO2. For two years, we’ve operated a pilot facility to prepare for commercialization, and in the process, we’ve partnered with leading brands and food testing organizations for rigorous analysis and prototyping of nutrition applications. We have now progressed into the engineering design phase for a 0.5 to 1.5 ton per day facility, expected to be operational in 2026, and have developed a roadmap to commercial-scale production in 2028.”
LanzaTech has nearly two decades of experience biorefining carbon-rich feedstocks to produce ethanol as the primary product and protein as a co-product. The company is evaluating potential sites, in collaboration with several partners, for the first pre-commercial facilities, planned to be operational in 2026. These facilities are expected to produce between 0.5 to 1.5 tons of LNP per day, and given the high protein content of LNP, 0.5 tons per day of LNP is roughly the equivalent of giving a typical complete daily intake of protein to approximately 9,000 people. Commercial facilities are being designed to produce more than 30,000 MT per annum, or greater than 80 MT per day, with the first of these facilities expected to be operational during 2028.
Trials in aquafeeds
LanzaTech is in the process of completing trials and testing in animal feed and pet food, and is underway with completing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) certification process for LNP’s use in human nutrition formulations.
The Center for Aquaculture Technologies has successfully tested LNP for fish feed applications and human food and beverage innovation firm Mattson completed thorough protein characterization and food prototyping for dish concepts such as smoothies, dairy-free cheese, and bread.
