Inalve raises 1.6 million euros to industrialise production of microalgae used in livestock feeding
Date:
Changed on 23/11/2023
Winner of the international Innovation 2030 competition, the young biotechnology start-up inalve enjoyed a successful fundraising round, giving the company the opportunity to set up its industrial pilot, initially targeted at fish farming, in the south of France. In the medium term, inalve is aiming to supply the entire agribusiness sector with the use of sustainable, innovative agriculture in the field of animal feed.
inalve’s goal is to use a forward-thinking solution to tackle the enormous challenge of feeding livestock sustainably in a context of likely shortages of fishmeal and plant protein. Global demand for protein-rich ingredients used to feed livestock, particularly in fish farming, continues to rise. Naturally rich in protein, amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and trace metals, marine microalgae are a natural and renewable alternative that could be used to offset expected shortages of fishmeal and plant protein.
Feeding the planet without destroying it
inalve has devised an innovative, patented industrial process: growing microalgae in biofilm, converted into protein-rich meal. This is more profitable, more competitive and more environmentally friendly than conventional production methods (suspension in water). It is an innovation that meets the needs of the agribusiness sector, where there is growing demand for healthier, more environmentally-friendly products. The inalve process offers innovative and sustainable production of animal feed.
Protecting resources and a carbon-neutral footprint
Microalgae will replace vegetable meal (86% of soya crops, which consume large quantities of water, are used to feed animals) and animal meal enriched with chemical products and antibiotics. Feeding animals with fish meal leads to overfishing and the impoverishment of marine resources.
inalve can grow microalgae on any type of soil with access to light and water, anywhere in the world, without draining natural resources. Microalgae consume less water and energy (70% and 90% less respectively when compared to conventional production methods), helping to reduce the greenhouse effect (each kilogram of biomass produced absorbs 2kg of atmospheric CO2).
Feeding the planet using feed that is healthy for animals and humans with a minimal environmental impact was the dual challenge we set ourselves when designing our technology”, explains Christophe Vasseur, CEO and co-founder of inalve. “This project was supported by a number of stakeholders and partners who have been with us right from the start, including Bpifrance, the Paca-Est incubator and Inria.