Brevel and Yotvata partner to build a microalgae commercial-scale manufacturing facility

Kibbutz Yotvata and Brevel have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding agreeing to build a commercial-scale manufacturing facility for the cultivation and production of microalgae-based protein and related products for the food and beverage industry.

The facility will be home to the largest fermentation reactors of its kind, at 30,000 liters, which will have the capacity to produce 900,000 liters a year when fully operational to support the rising demand in the EU and Middle Eastern markets. Brevel currently uses fermenters that have the capacity of 5,000 liters.

Kibbutz Yotvata runs Yotvata Dairy Plant in joint ownership with Strauss, while investing in the field of food, renewable energy and sustainability.

Brevel is providing microalgae-based alternative protein which is affordable, flavor and color neutral, highly functional, sustainable and at consistent and scalable production. Brevel’s technology is the first globally to combine sugar-based fermentation of microalgae with a high concentration of light at industrial scales. The result is a protein that will be price competitive with pea and soy and is color and flavor neutral. Brevel’s protein solves immediate challenges in plant-based dairy and egg products that lack a valuable nutritional profile due to the need for very mildly flavored protein sources. The unique process enables the production of microalgae at a cost reduction of more than 90% and includes nutrient-rich ingredients and functionalities that are only produced in the presence of light.

The manufacturing facility is the first of its kind to be established in Israel and the first of multiple facilities to be constructed worldwide with additional partners that Brevel is already in discussions with. In full capacity, the total manufacturing volume will reach up to 900,000 liter and 3,000 tons of dry product per year. The parties expect to export to customers abroad at least 25% of its production to various markets.

Brevel will be providing all required technology, know-how and intellectual property required for the construction and operation of the manufacturing facility and equipment, [including plans and specifications for all machinery and production line equipment], and provide all required information and materials required for the cultivation of the microalgae and the manufacturing of the product

“We are proud to build the largest facility of its kind in the world, which will be producing microalgae on a commercial scale to support rising demand in various markets,” explained Hannan Shushan, Yotvata's CEO. “Yotvata is dedicated towards finding sustainable solutions to feed the ever-growing world population and believes that the alternative-protein market will play a big part in that mission. The agreement with Brevel is a significant step in that direction.”

“The agreement with Yotvata is a milestone in the world of microalgae-based alternative protein," added Yonatan Golan, CEO & Co-Founder of Brevel. "This first commercial-scale manufacturing facility will enable us to move our vision forward: to become the number one choice for plant-based protein worldwide. We are actively working to solve the biggest nutrition challenges that exist today. The company is achieving this by providing truly sustainable plant-based protein which is both color and flavor neutral, and available for the first time at an affordable cost for the food industry."