Aerbio -- a UK firm that was recently formed from the management buy-out of Nottingham-based Deep Branch -- has launched its first pilot facility aimed at producing animal feed from carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases.

The facility, located at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in the Netherlands, aims to use a novel single-cell protein called Proton as feed for salmon and chickens. According to the firm, Proton can be produced without using arable land by converting gases through a fermentation process, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional feed ingredients like fishmeal and soy.

Early trials suggest Proton has the same nutritional benefits as conventional feed ingredients while boasting a carbon footprint up to 90% lower, the firm also said.

With the opening of the pilot facility, Aerbio is now able to produce 200 kilograms of Proton per month, allowing for larger feed trials and further development. The company is also preparing for a "market launch facility" that will have the capacity to produce 250 metric tons of Proton annually, with future commercial sites expected to scale up production to 100,000t per year.

Pete Rowe, Aerbio's co-founder and chief experience officer, highlighted the significance of the pilot facility, emphasizing its role in proving the scalability of their technology.

"The opening of our pilot facility is a significant step forward for our technology. It proves its scalability – both in terms of production and the operations of the sites. The support we have received from the consortium has been a crucial part of getting us to this point, and we're looking forward to the next phase," he said.

The firm said the pilot facility will help it determine how best to integrate itself into the food chain. The Proton it produces will be used to assess and develop several applications.