KnipBio, ICM hook up in search of single cell protein, via biofuels

April 26, 2018 | Jim Lane

In Kansas, KnipBio and ICM, entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) and strategic collaboration to create a commercial-scale fermentation process for KnipBio’s premium single cell protein aquafeed,. It’s known as KnipBio Meal.

Protein, Baby: The ICM backstory

We reported last June that ICM is rolling out a new product category for the US ethanol industry, a companion to ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, and CO2. And, perhaps, a window into a future of a whole range of specialty products with higher pricing profiles.

It’s called UltraMax, which sounds like something you’d pick up at a GNC as a diet supplement, and in many ways that’s a good way to start thinking about it.

Or, think “Vegemite for Contented Chickens” Just as generations of Australians have been raised as Healthy Little Vegemites after consuming the high-yeast, high-protein product under that trade name — why not try the same approach in raising chickens?

The overall technology is known as TS4 – Thin Stillage Solids Separation Systems. The first installation of Phase One is going on now at “a major ethanol plant” with start-up expected in Q3. It’s all part of what we identified in yesterday’s Digest, a theme for the US ethanol industry at the annual Fuel Ethanol Workshops of “efficiency, efficiency, efficiency” — finding more value in the process streams.

“It’s a peanut butter-like consistency,” ICM’s Steve Hartig told The Digest. But, there’s one thing about this product that’s not all that unusual, and that’s the payback period, which reportedly hits that 2-3 year payback period that ethanol producers prefer. The costs are in “the few millions”, and think total project time of 6 months with only a few days required to tie-in the old ethanol plant systems to this new technology after construction and every day operations continue in parallel for the bulk of the project.

And, a 100Mgy ethanol plant could produce 15,000 tons of this material, sell it for 20-40% more than dried distillers grains, and without changing the price obtained for DDGs. The trials are on with chickens and the results look good.

Chickens, Get Ripped! ICM unveils high-end protein as 5th core product for ethanol biz

TS4 technology we understand will be part of ICM’s Element project, which we reported last month that ICM and The ANdersons are proceeding on. That strategic partnership will build and operate a technologically advanced ethanol production facility featuring several of ICM’s cutting-edge equipment and process technologies.

The plant is designed to be the most efficient dry mill ethanol plant in the United States. The features that will differentiate this plant from all others in the industry include waste wood heat and power generation, high protein distillers dried grains (DDGs), industry-leading cellulosic ethanol production using corn kernel fiber feedstock and advanced corn oil production. The plant is expected to produce ethanol yields in excess of 3.1 gallons per bushel at full capacity. The carbon intensity score for both the corn and cellulosic ethanol production will lead the industry and further demonstrate ICM and The Andersons’ commitment to environmental sustainability. Ethanol produced by ELEMENT will be sold primarily in California under the state’s progressive Low Carbon Fuel Standard as well as in other emerging low carbon markets.

The Andersons and ICM team up on 70 million gallon per year biorefinery

The KnipBio backstory

We reported last July that KnipBio was looking to partner with biofuel industry leaders to get to commercial scale fermentation. As reported in Biofuels Digest before, KnipBio developed a series of naturally occurring microbes that convert low-cost feedstock into premium, nutritious, single-cell proteins laden with pigment-enhancing carotenoids to produce healthier, more vibrant fish.

KnipBio Looks to Partner with Biofuels Leaders for Fish Feed

Multi-Slide Guide to KnipBio

That’s here.

Single cell protein for aquafeeds: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to KnipBio

The project

The companies said they will explore new fermentation processes using ethanol and ethanol production process co-products. ICM, Inc. will also provide process engineering and construction plans for commercial exploitation of KnipBio’s biotechnology research. In conjunction with the JDA, ICM is making an undisclosed financial investment in KnipBio and will have representation on the company’s board of directors.

Work on the JDA will be conducted at KnipBio’s research center in Lowell, Massachusetts and at ICM’s state-of-the-art research facility and pilot plant in St. Joseph, Missouri. The research and development will focus on scaling up fermentation, improving production economics, optimizing processes for different SCP products, and testing the viability of using ethanol-related streams as a fermentation feedstock. The JDA is expected to last for approximately one year.

Multi-Slide Guide to ICM

The most recent slide deck from ICM is here.

Driving profit in biofuels production through innovation: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to ICM

Reaction from the stakeholders

Larry Feinberg, CEO of KnipBio, stated, “ICM is a great strategic fit for us. They have demonstrated their unrivaled knowledge and ability as the world’s leading fermentation process engineering firm. Their expertise will be invaluable as we move towards commercial production. We are thrilled to call them our collaborator. Bringing together ICM’s best-in-class fermentation know-how and KnipBio’s innovative biotechnology will allow us to dramatically accelerate our commercial plans.”

Steve Hartig, ICM’s Vice President of Technology Development stated, “The strategic rationale for investing and working with KnipBio is clear – aquaculture needs new sources of traceable, sustainable, and resource-efficient protein. We believe KnipBio’s premium single cell protein technology could play a central role in meeting this need. Alternative proteins for aquaculture will be a multi-billion dollar market and this process enables the US ethanol industry new opportunities for growth.”

Feinberg added, “ICM recognizes the potential of the alternative protein market and its importance for the future of ethanol. I am grateful that ICM sees the potential of KnipBio’s PROTEINplus product strategy and their investment represents a validation of the research we have conducted over the past three years.”