Axfoundation and partners advance research into mycoprotein for livestock feed

Axfoundation, in partnership with RISE, SLU, and the biotech company Cirkulär, is working to establish mycoprotein as a sustainable alternative to conventional feed ingredients like soy and fishmeal. The project, titled 'Future Feed,' aims to transition fungal-based protein from laboratory-scale research to industrial production.

Researchers at RISE Processum in Örnsköldsvik have spent over a decade developing methods to cultivate fungal mycelium using industrial byproducts, such as spent liquor from pulp production. By utilizing these side streams, the process aims to create a circular economy model that reduces the environmental footprint of animal feed production.

Early studies indicate that mycoprotein provides nutritional benefits for salmon, including improved gut health and immune response, compared to soy-based alternatives. As the fish feed industry faces increasing pressure to lower climate impacts and improve resource efficiency, the demand for stable, high-quality protein sources is driving interest in these fungal applications.

Scaling the production remains a primary challenge due to the significant energy requirements of large-scale fermentation. However, the construction of a new facility in Örnsköldsvik, capable of producing one hundred kilograms per day, marks a step toward commercial feasibility for the technology.