ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 77 SCALABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY Going back to the topic of pricing, this brings us to one of the key advantages of methanotroph bacteria. Methane is abundant in natural gas reserves, and its price tends to fluctuate less than other raw materials. As a result, the cost of protein derived from methanotroph bacteria can remain relatively steady. This decouples it from the market volatility typically seen in agricultural and marine products. This pricing predictability is something that feed manufacturers and farmers undoubtedly will appreciate. The relative stability in production costs gives methanotroph bacteria a competitive edge, but their true potential lies in scalability and environmental benefits. These bacteria convert methane into valuable protein, turning a climate challenge into a resource. This protein is high-quality, with an amino acid profile similar to fishmeal, and does not require as much arable land or freshwater as many plant-based alternatives. Additionally, industrial-scale fermentation facilities can operate continuously to ensure consistent and reliable protein production. This consistency is critical for large-scale aquaculture operations and feed manufacturing that aim to achieve the goal of sustainable feeds. Without scalability, not even the most promising protein sources can meet the growing demands of the industry. BREAKING DEPENDENCY ON FISHMEAL According to a 2025 market forecast by Rabobank, the global fishmeal market is heading toward a shortage much sooner than previously expected12. The demand for fishmeal is becoming increasingly inelastic, and supplies are struggling to keep up with rising needs year after year. This tightening supply is leading to sharp price volatility, which poses challenges for the aquaculture industry that has long relied on fishmeal as a key feed ingredient. Fish do not actually need fishmeal itself; rather, they require the specific nutrients that fishmeal naturally provides. Fishmeal has traditionally been a staple ingredient in aquaculture feeds, as it contains a well-balanced mix of essential nutrients. A high-quality nutritional profile that supports the health and growth of farmed fish is vital. When selecting alternative protein sources, producers must ensure they meet both quantity and nutritional requirements for aquaculture species. When feeds incorporating single-cell proteins are formulated to include all essential nutrients, fish can maintain good growth rates and feed efficiency without relying too much on fishmeal and exploiting marine resources. On a final note, single-cell proteins stand ready as a viable solution for ensuring sustainable growth and supply stability that the aquaculture industry will need in the coming years. References can be reached here. Methanotrophic bacteria are used in large-scale fermentation to convert methane into functional microbial protein Photos: Courtesy of Unibio
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==