The Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) and Unibio International PLC have formed a joint venture to construct what is expected to become the world’s largest single-cell protein facility in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The project will use fermentation technology to convert natural gas into Uniprotein®, targeting feed markets while supporting food security and reducing import dependency.

The project will be developed under an 80:20 SIIG–Unibio joint venture, following SIIG’s US$70 million investment in Unibio in 2023. At its core is Unibio’s patented vertical loop bioreactor technology, which converts methane into high-quality single-cell protein through continuous fermentation.

Located in Al Jubail, the plant is planned to start with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons, with expansion potential exceeding 300,000 tons. By turning natural gas into feed, the facility aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on imported protein sources.

Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with commercial operations targeted for 2028. A gas allocation has been secured from the Saudi Ministry of Energy, and the site has been designated by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.

Uniprotein® has been tested across multiple animal species and is approved for aquaculture use in Saudi Arabia and for feed applications in the European Union, with further registrations underway globally. The product is non-GMO, pesticide-free, and fully traceable.

Commenting on the development, Unibio CEO David Henstrom said: “The world needs innovators who collectively want to find a solution to providing food stability for future generations.” SIIG’s Abdulrahman Alismail described the project as a strategic investment to advance sustainable protein production and strengthen long-term growth.