NovoNutrients, a Silicon Valley based innovator making protein through carbon capture and utilization, has been selected by Chevron Technology Ventures to join its catalyst program. NovoNutrients transforms industrial emissions that are primarily CO_₂ into additives and high-performance protein ingredients, initially created for fast-growing aquaculture feed markets.

The catalyst program is a conduit for maturation of early stage startups that have created emerging technologies with the potential to benefit the energy industry. NovoNutrients is the first biotechnology company to join the program. Innovation support from the catalyst program will enable NovoNutrients to progress through key milestones, including piloting its technology in the field and capturing and using carbon dioxide emissions from the energy industry to make nutritious protein for the aquaculture and, eventually, animal feed markets. In addition to the support from Chevron Technology Ventures, the Grantham Environmental Trust’s Neglected Climate Opportunities program has made investments in NovoNutrients to support the development of its technology to advance sustainability objectives in the energy sector.

“The cooperation and funding from CTV’s catalyst program will help NovoNutrients prove and develop its path for large-scale manufacturing and adoption. As a part of this push for profitable carbon capture utilization, we hope to be among the technology solutions that arise to counter these deep challenges to the global economy and planetary health,” said NovoNutrients’ CEO, David Tze. “We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and showing how the energy industry can be part of making the protein behind the protein^™."

Brian Sefton, NovoNutrients’ CTO and founder, also said that “high quality protein is expensive. Look at aquaculture’s reliance on feeding wild fish to farmed fish. That supply is shrinking, volatile, and expensive. To keep aquafeed production challenges from dragging down aquaculture growth, less costly additives and proteins are needed – to make feed with less fish in it. Our bioreactor process is anchored by low blended-cost, massive-scale feedstocks: waste CO_₂, as well as hydrogen. The gases feed our fast-doubling bacterial strains, which can be natural, have more than 70% protein, and, optionally, integrated additives.”