Single-Cell Bacterial Proteins Industry Analysis: Reach US$420 Million by 2031 at 10.8% CAGR

According to the recent report from QYResearch, over the past two years, Single-Cell Bacterial Proteins (SCP) have shifted from promising pilots to real commercial products in pet food and aquaculture, backed by regulatory wins and consumer launches. Calysta and Adisseo's joint venture Calysseo secured Chinese approval in 2024 for aquaculture use; pet brands in Europe launched the first consumer products with fermented bacterial protein in 2024-2025; and CO2-to-protein developers advanced pilots and partnerships. These milestones align with the growth fundamentals detailed in the latest market outlook.

Based on recent techno-economic studies, feed-grade bacterial SCP made via methane fermentation can be produced at about US$1,214-1,783 per metric ton depending on the methane source and electricity price; stranded-methane routes model costs below ~US$1,600/t. Since buyers typically benchmark against fishmeal (10-year avg. ~US$1,600/t; ~US$1,800/t reported in 2024), a reasonable selling-price band is US$1.6-1.8k/t. That implies gross profit ≈ US$70-270/t and gross margin ≈ 4-15% at mainstream sites, rising to ~US$486/t (~29% margin) in low-electricity regions. For CO2/H2 "e-protein" routes, modeled costs are €4.0-6.1/kg in the late-2020s; at a €5.0/kg selling price, gross margin is ~0-20% depending on site and power.

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Latest Data

· Market size: US$195 million in 2024; forecast US$420 million by 2031

· CAGR (2025-2031): 10.8%

· Segmentation by application: Aquaculture, Livestock Feed, Food

· Segmentation by type: Powdered, Liquid

· Regions covered: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa

· Report coverage: revenue and volume forecasts, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors and trends, dynamics (drivers, restraints, regulatory), and strategic recommendations

Leading Companies

Calysta
Shougang Langze
Air Protein
ICell Sustainable Nutrition
String Bio
Unibio
KnipBio
Calysseo
Arbiom
NovoNutrients
Giprobiosyntez
Deep Branch
Eniferbio
Avecom NV
Utilization of Carbon Dioxide Institute

Classification List

· Type: Powdered; Liquid

· Application: Aquaculture; Livestock Feed; Food

Applications

· Aquaculture

· Livestock Feed

· Food

News Highlights and Achievements

China opens aquafeed market to bacterial SCP (2024): China's agricultural regulators approved Calysta's FeedKind for use in fish and shrimp feeds. Calysseo, the joint venture between Calysta and Adisseo, began preparing large-scale deliveries, positioning SCP as a scalable alternative to fishmeal.

First consumer launches in Europe (2024-2025): Dr. Clauder's debuted the world's first dog treats using FeedKind Pet at Interzoo 2024. In 2025, Marsapet launched MicroBell, the first complete dry dog food featuring FeedKind Pet. These launches mark SCP's move from pilot feed trials into branded retail products.

CO2-to-protein scale-up (2024): Deep Branch, rebranded as Aerbio, opened a pilot plant in the Netherlands capable of producing around 200 kg per month of Proton to support salmon and poultry feed trials with BioMar and other partners.

Middle East market signal (2025): Unibio advanced commercialization of Uniprotein in Saudi Arabia, highlighting SCP's appeal in regions seeking local, sustainable feed sources.

US regulatory momentum (2024): String Bio achieved self-affirmed GRAS for PRO-DG for crustacean feed in the US, underscoring regulatory acceptance for methanotroph-based proteins.

Consolidation pressures (2025): NovoNutrients sold core assets to Capra Biosciences, reflecting selective capital flow even as customer traction improves for validated platforms.

Five Product Snapshots

Calysta - FeedKind®

· Fermented bacterial meal produced via natural gas fermentation

· Approximately 71% crude protein and 9% fat

· Supports up to 30% fishmeal replacement in yellowtail diets without performance loss

· Demonstrated shrimp survival benefits under disease challenge

· Approved in China (2024), first EU pet launches (2024), and full dog food launch (2025)

String Bio - PRO-DGTM

· Methanotroph-derived SCP with ~70% protein

· Low fat with balanced amino acid profile

· Self-affirmed GRAS in the US (2024) for crustacean feed

· Under validation trials in Asia and Australia with feed producers

Unibio - Uniprotein®

· Methane-fed SCP with ~70% protein, ~9% fat, ~6% ash, ~85% digestibility

· Non-GMO and EU-approved for animal and fish feeds

· Commercial shipments began in Europe; expansion to Saudi Arabia under way in 2025

Aerbio (Deep Branch) - ProtonTM

· Produced via CO2 and hydrogen fermentation

· ~70% protein, nutritionally comparable to fishmeal

· Pilot plant in the Netherlands producing ~200 kg/month from 2024

· Long-term partnerships in salmon and poultry feed trials

KnipBio - JUVTM

· Functional microbial ingredient for juvenile fish and shrimp

· ~55% protein, PHB content 20-30%, carotenoids for added functionality

· Trials reported 53% lower mortality under disease challenge

· 90% digestibility of essential amino acids

Downstream Customers

Marsapet
Dr. Clauder's
Danish Agro
BioMar
Skretting Australia
AB Agri (Livalta)
Adisseo
Srinivasa Farms
Calysseo
Additional European pet food manufacturers

Market Trend

Regulatory acceleration unlocks growth

Approvals in China and the US in 2024-2025 reduced commercialization risks and accelerated time-to-market. These regulatory breakthroughs are essential for scaling SCP in aquafeed and pet nutrition.

Pet nutrition as a consumer showcase

The launch of SCP-based dog treats and complete foods in Europe established visible proof points for acceptance and supply reliability. Pet products are set to become an early driver of consumer awareness and premium claims.

Gas fermentation capacity expansion

Industrial-scale production is under way in China, while new pilots in Europe demonstrate the potential for regional hubs near methane or CO2 sources. Scaling is expected to drive cost competitiveness over the next three years.

Beyond protein parity: functional benefits

SCP delivers more than crude protein. Trials in shrimp and finfish have demonstrated survival benefits under pathogen stress and high feed conversion efficiency. Functional traits such as gut health support are emerging differentiators.

Protein quality and flexibility

With 60-70% protein and balanced amino acid profiles, SCP can be formulated easily into aquafeeds, livestock diets, and pet foods. Powdered formats dominate, but liquid slurries are applied upstream in fermentation plants.

Sustainability edge

SCP production requires no arable land, minimal water, and can be sited near carbon or gas sources, reducing logistics emissions and supply risks. This positions SCP as a resilient protein solution in a volatile global feed landscape.

Selective financing and consolidation

Validated players with approvals, partnerships, and revenue traction are attracting partners and investors. Others face funding challenges, leading to asset sales and consolidation. This trend is likely to continue in 2025-2026.

Strategic Outlook 2025-2026

· Expansion in China aquaculture after regulatory approval

· Broader adoption in pet foods beyond treats into full product lines

· Commercial pilots in CO2-to-protein scaling, with the first regional modules by 2027

· Emphasis on functional benefits to secure price premiums

· Consolidation favoring companies with clear pathways to commercialization

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