Deep Branch addresses both the sustainability of animal farming and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, creating the first scalable path for a truly sustainable protein generation process from CO2, a waste product. Their ingredient, Proton™ is made by fermentation. It is not just a more environmentally friendly feed ingredient, but will also provide a regular supply of a price-stable, price-competitive, and nutritionally optimal bulk protein.
At the moment, Deep Branch is building a scale-up hub at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus (Limburg, NL), producing the first pilot-scale batches of Proton™ for full nutritional validation with Europe’s leading feed producers, including BioMar and AB Agri.
Vital
“Protein is vital for good health yet producing it is one of the largest greenhouse gas contributors,” says Pieter Wolters, Managing Director of DSM Venturing, that led the investment round along with Novo Holdings and participation from Total Carbon Neutrality Ventures and Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital. “At DSM we’re applying our scientific know-how to feed the world more sustainably, such as reducing the carbon footprint of animal farming and creating alternatives to wild-caught fish for feed.”
This investment round will not only bring financial support, but also extensive expertise from investers with a proven track record in biotechnology. “This will accelerate the execution of our vision. It reflects our heavy emphasis on collaboration, complementing our existing partnerships by bringing in new aspects of the value chain, including hydrogen, scaling bioprocesses, and commercial finance,” says Peter Rowe, CEO of Deep Branch. “We regard our technology as a platform that we will leverage to address new markets with Proton™, as well as expanding our product line to more CO2-based products.”
Norway
A commercial production facility will most likely be built in Norway, according to Peter Rowe. “Norway’s world-leading position in both the salmon industry and production of low-carbon hydrogen make it ideal from an offtake and input perspective, putting it high on our list. To meet our goal of commercial production by 2023, we have already begun engaging the necessary partners to make this a reality.”
Besides Novo Holdings and DSM Venturing, Total Carbon Neutrality Ventures and Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital are investing in Deep Branch. The company was highlight by the World Economic Forum this year as one of the world’s most impactful, commercially viable scale-ups as part of The Circulars Accelerator.
Image: Deep Branch
