Precision fermentation specialist The Every Company has been awarded $2m from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to explore US-based manufacturing.

The funding will support a feasibility assessment of a US site to manufacture Every’s two core proteins: a highly soluble protein designed for protein-boosting, and an ovalbumin protein designed for functional egg and egg white replacement, both made using Every’s animal-free precision fermentation process. The company was recently granted a foundational patent for its ovalbumin ingredient.

Through the investment from DoD, California-headquartered Every will expand its presence in its home country and strengthen US biomanufacturing. The investment is part of the DoD’s Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program, which aims to increase US biomanufacturing capabilities in five key areas for national security: fabrication, firepower, fitness, food and fuel.

As part of the award, Every will develop military-use cases for its proteins, using its soluble protein to deliver high-quality nutrition in high-density formats.

Arturo Elizondo, Every’s CEO, said: “Our technology allows us to bring novel applications to market using our soluble protein. Imagine a glass of water that looks and tastes like water, but contains 20 grams of protein. That’s what our protein can do.”

The company has demonstrated its process consistently at industrial >100,000L scale, obtained US FDA approval for all its proteins and successfully commercialised its entire portfolio. Elizondo said the focus for the next year will be on entering the mass market. With most of its customers requiring thousands of metric tons of product, the funding will enable Every to meet their needs by broadening its production capacity, he added.

“Investing in biomanufacturing will allow the United States to safeguard reliable domestic supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign imports and establish itself as a leader in food technology, especially in the face of rising global challenges such as food insecurity, zoonotic disease risk, and climate change,” said Elizondo.

The company’s production process uses a fraction of the land and water required to produce conventional protein and utilises US-grown corn as its primary feedstock, stimulating the nation’s rural economy.

This latest news follows several milestone announcements from the food-tech company over the last year, including partnerships with multinationals including Grupo Palacios and Unilever brand The Vegetarian Butcher.

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