To change the application of one’s researched process must be exciting and hard work. Cirkulär operates large fermentation facilities, taking care of by products from the forestry industry which after fermentation may be used in the agri-food industry. They started off on an explorative quest to find a new, more efficient milk protein by using mushrooms. As times changed, they realized that these mushrooms had a more commercial application if grown on waste to produce protein.

“Our vision has always been to contribute to the net positive of industrial companies, and in the end to make the world more climate friendly” says Eric Öste who has a background in Bio Chemistry research.

It is fascinating that bi-products from the forestry industry may be turned into food products or animal food. The end product is a full food safe protein pulver.

“I pitched the idea to my professor in the US in 2016, we were very early then. It has taken a long time to find the right application. As these fermentation techniques are getting more and more accessible and cheap in the market, we can do much more on a large scale now” says Eric.

There is a high demand for alternative proteins, especially in the fish and meat industries, as they are under pressure to change their environmental impact. The first batches are sold exclusively as fish food, however there are endless applications.

Currently, Cikulär is raising capital to build their first commercial facility at a paper mill supplying them with the by-product. They are looking at producing thousands of tons of sustainable fungal protein as an ingredient in animal feed.