Food of the future: in Toulouse, Kyanos Biotechnologies will produce microalgae on an industrial scale
The 2.6 million euros raised last spring and a new one in progress will allow Kyanos Biotechnologies to change scale. “We have shown that there is a market, that we are able to produce. And we are entering a phase of industrialization in order to respond to the challenge of the food of the future ”, indicates Vinh Ly, CEO of La biotech toulousaine.
Founded in 2016, the start-up patented a production of AFA (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae), also called water pastel, by cyclotrophy. A process inspired by natural ecosystems, respectful of the environment, for a microalgae “rich in complete proteins and phenylethylamine, a natural antidepressant”.
“Difficult to support demand”
In its new premises in Beauzelle (Haute-Garonne), it should lay down, within a few months, a culture basin of 30 m2 and, ultimately, a second of 160 m2. “Today we are struggling to keep up with demand and we want us to be able to produce on a large scale,” says Vinh Ly. The annual production could reach one tonne of dry matter. “But the most important is the industrial model, on which we are working with Capgemini Engineering, which should allow us to reach hundreds of tonnes”, continues the CEO.
Today focused on the production and marketing of food supplements based on water pastel, Kyanos Biotechnologies collaborates with the Basque Culinary center from San Sebastián (Spain) to integrate this micro-algae in recipes. “Our goal is to invent the food of the future, with low environmental impact. “