Turning waste feathers into a valuable protein source

Purpose and goal

The project satisfied the goal of understanding the market, production process and regulatory requirements, by confirming a target application, roll-out strategy options, a price point, cost of goods sold, and gross margins. While the project did not fully satisfy the original goal of scaling up the process, key partner discussions will allow the company to accelerate the roll-out of Bioextrax technology to existing feed producers in Europe who have verified their interest in the technology, thus allowing for either a licensing or production business model.

Expected results and effects

The project confirmed that Bioextrax needs to target feed applications before other potential applications of the feather hydrolysate. The project also confirmed potential gross margins of close to 50% when operating the company´s own production facility. Lastly, the project confirmed the potential to partner with an enzyme producer to manufacture a hydrolysate product with a more competitive cost and nutrition profile, and license this technology to an established customer base with verified interest.

Planned approach and implementation

With regards to the first work package, which focused on the market, process modeling and regulatory requirements, all activities were fulfilled. With regards to the second work package, which focused on scaling up and the verification of production models and customer demand, not all activities were fulfilled. Current discussions will however allow the company to accelerate the market introduction of its technology and hydrolysate products either through a licensing agreement or the operation of the company´s own production facility.