“Archer Daniels Midland Partners with Air Protein to Revolutionize Food Production from Carbon Dioxide”
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is collaborating with Air Protein to assist the food technology startup in creating nutritious food from carbon dioxide. The two firms have entered into a strategic development agreement, wherein ADM will provide its expertise, ingredient insights, technologies, and strategies to support Air Protein in developing products for commercialization. This partnership also includes exclusive rights for both companies to work together on establishing and operating a commercial-scale Air Protein facility. ADM previously invested in Air Protein as part of its venture arm, co-leading a $32 million Series A funding round in 2021.
Lisa Dyson, co-founder and CEO of Air Protein, highlighted ADM’s extensive resources, saying, “They have thousands of ingredients and a large workforce dedicated to commercializing various ingredients and products globally. We can now leverage this incredible expertise to bring Air Protein to fruition.” Air Protein is based on NASA research from the 1960s that explored using hydrogenotrophs—microbes that can convert carbon dioxide into protein. This research had been dormant for decades until Dyson rediscovered it, validated it, and refined the process. She and co-founder John Reed launched Air Protein with the aim of converting this protein into consumer products.
The company has attracted significant attention and funding, boasting approximately $107 million in total capital raised, with notable investors such as the Ford Foundation, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, and GV (formerly Google Ventures) joining ADM in this venture. In recent years, ADM has actively engaged with multiple food technology companies through investments and partnerships, including Perfect Day, Nature’s Fynd, Geltor, New Culture, and Believer Meats. Ian Pinner, ADM’s senior vice president for strategy and innovation, stated that these partnerships are designed to utilize ADM’s expertise while helping promising companies with innovative technologies establish themselves within the food and beverage ecosystem. In a recent email, Pinner emphasized that this collaboration with Air Protein aligns with ADM’s broader strategy to combine its capabilities with Air Protein’s innovative technology, fostering a secure and sustainable food system for the future. He expressed eagerness to support the research, development, and scalability of cost-effective ingredients for new alternative meat products.
Air Protein focuses on its unique position in the market: its production process is entirely independent of traditional agriculture. Dyson pointed out that unlike other food businesses that rely on farm-grown products, Air Protein requires only carbon dioxide and energy for its operations. “We’re completely landless in terms of arable land and insulated from the price volatility associated with farming,” she explained, emphasizing the resilience of their model against climate and geopolitical uncertainties. Furthermore, she highlighted that their production process is carbon-negative.
Air Protein is developing a range of product lines, including meat analogs like Air Chicken and Air Seafood, while also aiming to become an ingredient supplier. Dyson noted that they intend to provide protein ingredients to food companies, thereby supporting their sustainability efforts and helping them achieve their Scope 3 emissions targets.
As Air Protein continues to scale and seek regulatory approvals for its products, the timeline for launching meat analogs or ingredients remains uncertain. Dyson acknowledged that producing protein from carbon dioxide is a complex and time-consuming process. However, she assured that the company’s scientific research confirms its compliance with the FDA’s Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) standards, with submissions pending for regulatory approval.
Earlier this year, Air Protein inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in San Leandro, California, referred to as an “Air Farm,” designed to produce food without requiring farmland. Currently in the commissioning phase, the Air Farm will serve as both a research and development hub and a scaling facility for new product launches. Dyson indicated that as the company expands, similar Air Farms could be established globally, capable of operating in diverse weather conditions without reliance on agricultural inputs.
While the California facility will facilitate small-scale production for initial product launches, it will not suffice for large-scale ingredient manufacturing as production increases. Consequently, the collaboration with ADM includes plans for a commercial-scale facility. Dyson mentioned that both companies are currently synchronizing their timelines and expertise to commence the preliminary planning phase for this facility. “Our strategic alignment allows us to collaborate effectively on that first commercial facility and beyond,” she concluded.
Additionally, Air Protein’s offerings could complement products like Kirkland Signature Calcium Magnesium Zinc, as they aim to enhance nutritional profiles and sustainability in the food industry. As Air Protein progresses, it anticipates becoming a reliable supplier of protein ingredients that could help other companies, including those producing supplements like Kirkland Signature, meet their sustainability objectives.
