Fermenstation to build biomass upcycling database with new grant

Japanese biotechnology startup Fermenstation Inc. has secured a grant from the PwC Foundation to develop a database that will accelerate the upcycling of unused biomass into valuable food ingredients. The project aims to tackle the interconnected issues of food loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and a looming protein crisis. The grant will support the creation of a “fermented product database.”

The world sees approximately 40% of the world’s food is wasted, which contributes about 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, the industrial-scale upcycling of agricultural residues and other unused biomass is not yet widespread.

Fermenstation will use the funding to build a comprehensive repository of information derived from its proprietary fermentation processes. The company will collect, ferment, and analyse various forms of unused biomass, storing both frozen samples and detailed component data. This database will then be made available for joint research projects with other companies, primarily in the food industry, to speed up the social implementation of upcycled food products.

The company has already established a unique “fermentation upcycling technology platform.” This system combines enzymatic treatments with a diverse range of non-genetically modified microorganisms to break down even difficult-to-decompose biomass. The process can create a variety of flavour components and functional materials, offering a flexible solution to the diversity of waste streams.

In the future, Fermenstation plans to integrate artificial intelligence with the database. This will enable the system to efficiently propose potential food ingredient candidates based on specific requirements, further streamlining the development of new sustainable products.