In a bold move to tackle the environmental concerns surrounding palm oil, UK start-up Sun Bear Biofuture is pioneering a sustainable alternative through fermentation. Named after an East Asian bear whose habitat is threatened by deforestation, the company is determined to provide a solution that maintains the functional properties of palm oil without the associated ecological damage.
Palm oil's links to deforestation have come under increasing scrutiny, with the United Nations reporting that oil palm harvesting accounted for 7% of deforestation between 2000 and 2018. Sun Bear Biofuture's innovative approach involves using a strain of yeast that naturally produces an oil similar in composition and functionality to palm oil. By optimizing the strain and the fermentation process, the company aims to maximize oil production while ensuring cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Ben Williams, Sun Bear Biofuture's CTO, explains that the company's goal is to replicate refined palm oil, which is used as an ingredient in various products. The unique functional properties of palm oil, particularly its 50% saturated fat content, make it a challenging ingredient to replace. However, Sun Bear Biofuture has successfully produced an oil at lab scale that matches these properties, and the company is now focusing on scaling up production.
Upscaling the production of this fermentation-derived alternative to palm oil presents several challenges. The specific equipment required is often sourced from the pharmaceutical industry, making it difficult to access and costly to operate at the scale needed for commodity production. Additionally, finding the right feedstocks is crucial for sustainability. Sun Bear Biofuture uses agricultural side streams, such as potato peels and bread waste, which are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than using sugar.
To overcome these challenges, Sun Bear Biofuture is collaborating with AberInnovation, a research facility based at Aberystwyth University in Wales. With research funding and access to larger-scale fermenters, the company is working towards upscaling its production process to meet the growing demand for sustainable palm oil alternatives.
While some organizations, such as the RSPO, provide certifications for sustainably produced palm oil, Williams believes that the projected growth in the palm oil sector will outpace the availability of sustainably produced palm oil. With a compound annual growth rate of 4.9% between 2023 and 2030, the increasing demand for palm oil risks leading to further deforestation. Sun Bear Biofuture aims to capture some of this growth and prevent it from contributing to ecological destruction.
The upcoming European Deforestation Regulation, set to be applicable by the end of 2024, presents a significant opportunity for Sun Bear Biofuture's product. As palm oil producers face increased scrutiny and potential penalties for non-compliance, the company's locally sourced, traceable alternative offers a solution for mitigating risks and maintaining sustainability credentials. Sun Bear Biofuture aims to work with companies, particularly in the plant-based meat sector, that are seeking a sustainable alternative to oils and fats without compromising on functionality.
