n!Biomachines bioreactors support scalable protein production

As the global demand for sustainable protein sources increases, precision biomanufacturing is becoming a central component of alternative protein development. Canada-based n!Biomachines, a subsidiary of Germany’s The Cultivated B, is playing a key role in that transition by offering high-precision bioreactors and fermenters designed to scale protein production efficiently.

“Many people don’t realize the importance that proteins play in their everyday lives,” said Valerie Ward, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of Waterloo. “They are used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, the food industry, and in the medical industry.”

n!Biomachines supplies fermentation equipment that supports the production of animal-free proteins across these sectors. The company focuses on modular design and digital control systems that can be used in lab-scale setups and scaled up to industrial production. According to CEO Dr Hamid Noori, the company’s products are tailored to meet the specific needs of protein producers.

“We manufacture bioreactors and fermenters,” said Noori. “Our customers typically use these bioreactors to produce alternative proteins.”

Inside each bioreactor, nutrient-rich liquids interact with microorganisms, enzymes, and gases to yield high-value proteins. Controlling environmental conditions such as temperature, pH, oxygen, and nutrient supply is essential for efficient output. “Bioreactors are high-precision machines,” Noori said. “That means we need optimal control systems and electronics to make sure that these systems are running smoothly and without any issues for the customers.”

To achieve this, n!Biomachines integrates more than 100 components from Siemens into its systems, including the Simatic S7-1200 programmable logic controller (PLC) and Simatic WinCC Unified System. These tools monitor and manage all critical parameters during fermentation, ensuring both reliability and flexibility.

“Siemens came into the play because of its long history of making control systems and having proper software that you could adjust and customize, tailored to the needs of the customers,” Noori explained.

The user interface is designed to be intuitive, making it suitable for a range of users, from experienced researchers to students. Valerie Ward and her team at the University of Waterloo are among those using n!Biomachines systems in an academic research setting.

“Technology like this enables us to produce these types of products that are safer, more environmentally friendly, and better for end users,” Ward said.

The company’s modular systems are adaptable across a range of applications and industry scales, allowing producers to expand capacity without overhauling infrastructure. This is especially important in sectors such as food and beverage, where the ability to test and scale rapidly can determine market success.

By providing targeted control, user-friendly interfaces, and integration with widely used industrial software, n!Biomachines is contributing to more economically viable solutions for sustainable protein production. The company’s technology aligns with a growing industry need to reduce environmental impact while delivering high-quality, functional proteins for diverse uses.