Calysseo announced it began operations in its new facility located in Chongqing, China. The facility is the world’s first industrial-scale facility to produce non-animal- or plant-based protein ingredients, according to the JV.

Calysseo, a joint venture between animal nutrition company Adisseo and protein manufacturer Calysta, announced the completion of its facility in June 2022, revealing the facility would produce an innovative protein ingredient called FeedKind for use in aquaculture. With operations underway, first deliveries will be “made to customers soon,” according to Calysseo. For the production, Calysseo uses a novel high-capacity u-loop reactor patented and developed by Calysta, which ferments microorganisms.

“Today is an incredibly proud moment,” said Alan Shaw, co-founder, chief executive officer and president of Calysta. “We have spent the last 10 years perfecting our technology and it is exciting to have successfully switched on the world’s first industrial-scale alternative protein fermenter. This is a huge step as we aim to help make the world more food secure.”

The company also shared its protein platform is approved for use in livestock feed and pet food applications. “Food security has increasingly come under the spotlight in recent months, but we are now entering a new era of sustainable food production,” said Jean-Marc Dublanc, chief executive officer of Adisseo. “Calysseo brings to the market a new way of making high-quality protein — and does so using a naturally-occurring microbe that makes the resulting protein non-GMO, something that is increasingly demanded through the supply chain.”