Unlocking the Potential of Postbiotic Ingredients: Fonterra and Superbrewed Food's Groundbreaking Partnership

In a strategic move to diversify its portfolio and embrace sustainable protein solutions, global dairy cooperative Fonterra has forged a multi-year joint development agreement with biomass fermentation startup Superbrewed Food. The partnership aims to explore the untapped potential of Superbrewed's innovative "postbiotic" ingredient, a protein-packed microbial biomass that could complement Fonterra's existing dairy and precision-fermented offerings.

Revolutionizing the Future of Sustainable Protein

Harnessing the Power of Microbial Biomass

Superbrewed Food's unique approach to fermentation sets it apart from traditional precision fermentation companies. Rather than using genetic engineering to program microbes to produce specific target proteins, Superbrewed has identified a bacterium, C. tyrobutyricum, that naturally produces high levels of protein when grown in an anaerobic environment using a variety of feedstocks, including lactose permeate, a byproduct of Fonterra's milk protein production.This innovative approach allows Superbrewed to harvest the entire microbial biomass, creating a whole food ingredient with an impressive nutritional profile. The resulting postbiotic boasts an 85% protein content, a PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) of 0.91 (higher than most plant proteins), and high levels of B vitamins, including B12, as well as minerals such as iron and zinc.

Exploring Complementary Opportunities

Fonterra's interest in Superbrewed's postbiotic ingredient stems from its potential to enhance the functional and nutritional performance of a wide range of food products. The ingredient's neutral taste, natural white color, excellent pH and temperature stability, and good emulsification properties make it an attractive option for shelf-stable snacks, sports nutrition, and alternative dairy products, among other applications.The partnership between Fonterra and Superbrewed also explores the possibility of using lactose permeate, a byproduct of Fonterra's milk protein production, as a feedstock for Superbrewed's microorganisms. This circular solution not only creates a new revenue stream for Fonterra but also aligns with the company's commitment to sustainability and efficient resource utilization.

Regulatory Approval and Commercial Readiness

Superbrewed Food has already secured a "no questions" letter from the FDA, affirming the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status of its postbiotic ingredient. This regulatory milestone paves the way for the company to introduce its innovative product to the market, with the first commercial launches expected in the first quarter of 2025.To meet the anticipated demand, Superbrewed has partnered with European CMO Döhler to dedicate substantial fermentation capacity to the production of the postbiotic. Additionally, the company is evaluating alternative sites in the United States to retrofit for larger-scale production, aiming to reach an annual capacity of over 2,000 metric tons by 2027.

Investor Confidence and Industry Recognition

Superbrewed Food's progress has caught the attention of investors, with the company securing TO VC as the lead investor in its ongoing Series B funding round. According to Joshua Phitoussi, managing partner at TO VC, Superbrewed stands out among the microbial protein companies evaluated by the firm due to its advanced regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial aspects.Phitoussi highlights the scalability, low manufacturing threshold, and extremely low potential cost of goods sold (COGS) of Superbrewed's postbiotic, coupled with its exceptional physical, mechanical, and nutritional characteristics, as key factors driving the firm's investment decision. The potential for Superbrewed to leverage its co-product, butyric acid, as an additional revenue stream further strengthens the company's value proposition.

Transforming the Future of Sustainable Protein

The partnership between Fonterra and Superbrewed Food represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable protein solutions that can complement traditional dairy and plant-based offerings. By harnessing the power of microbial biomass and exploring innovative circular economy approaches, the two companies are poised to redefine the future of the food industry, offering consumers a new generation of high-performance, nutritious, and environmentally-friendly protein ingredients.