SIIG and Unibio plan world’s largest single-cell protein plant in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) and biotechnology company Unibio International PLC have announced plans to build what they describe as the world’s largest single-cell protein production facility in Saudi Arabia, marking a major step in the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen food security and expand industrial biotechnology.

• SIIG and Unibio formed an 80:20 joint venture to build a single-cell protein plant in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, initially producing 50,000 tons annually with plans to expand capacity beyond 300,000 tons.

• The facility will use Unibio’s vertical loop bioreactor technology to convert methane from natural gas into Uniprotein, a microbial protein for animal feed applications.

• Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026 with commercial production targeted for 2028, following completion of front-end engineering design and government approvals.

The companies will develop the facility through a joint venture in which SIIG will hold an 80% stake and Unibio 20%. The plant will be located in the industrial city of Al Jubail and will initially produce 50,000 tons of protein annually, with plans to increase capacity to more than 300,000 tons in the coming years.

The project builds on an earlier investment by SIIG, which invested US$70 million in Unibio in 2023. That investment laid the foundation for the partnership that has now progressed into a formal joint venture agreement.

The plant will use Unibio’s proprietary vertical loop bioreactor technology, a continuous-flow fermentation process designed to convert methane into microbial protein. Natural gas will serve as the primary feedstock for the process, making Saudi Arabia an attractive location due to its abundant gas resources.

The resulting ingredient, called Uniprotein, is a microbial protein intended primarily for use in animal feed. The protein has been tested successfully in multiple animal species and is approved for aquaculture in Saudi Arabia and for feed applications in the European Union, with additional regulatory registrations underway globally.

Developers said the facility is expected to help reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on imported animal feed while supporting both domestic demand and international markets.

Front-end engineering design for the project was completed last year. Construction is anticipated to begin in the second half of 2026, with commercialization expected to start in 2028.

A gas allocation for the project has already been granted by the Saudi Ministry of Energy, while a site has been nominated by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. The initiative has also received support from several related Saudi government entities.

The project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the national economy beyond oil and promote industrial innovation and advanced manufacturing.

Unibio’s technology converts carbon-rich gases into microbial biomass through fermentation. The company described the process as replicating natural biological systems that transform methane into high-protein microbial cells suitable for feed applications.

Uniprotein has a protein content above 70% of dry matter and an amino acid profile similar to fishmeal. The product is non-GMO, free from pesticides and antibiotics, and designed to provide a traceable and consistent ingredient for feed manufacturers.

David Henstrom, CEO of Unibio, said the project represented an important step in addressing the challenge of feeding a growing global population. “The world needs innovators who collectively want to find a solution to providing food stability for future generations. We believe that our fermentation technology, which incorporates the most efficient reactor of its kind in gas fermentation, is ideal for Saudi Arabia,” he said.

“We are delighted to join with SIIG as a JV partner to bring industrial scale fermentation to the Kingdom and look forward to working together to address an authentic problem - how to feed a growing population with minimal impact on the planet.”

Abdulrahman Alismail of Saudi Industrial Investment Group said the company viewed the project as both a strategic investment and a long-term growth opportunity.

“We are excited to work on developing this project alongside our partner Unibio, and look forward to bringing sustainable protein production to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, our region, and the rest of the world,” he said.

“We see this as a strategic investment for our company and the long-term growth in shareholder value. Using Unibio’s technology, we aim to make Saudi Arabia the leader in single-cell protein production and improve food security for both Saudi Arabia and the world’s growing population.”