Wilbur-Ellis partners Bond Pet Foods to innovate sustainable pet food ingredients

USA – Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition and Bond Pet Foods have announced a partnership to develop tailored ingredients for pet food applications using precision fermentation technology. 

This collaboration aims to address the environmental impact of traditional meat production and offer sustainable alternatives for the pet food industry.

Based in Boulder, Colorado, Bond Pet Foods employs yeast-based precision fermentation to produce proteins such as chicken, turkey, and fish without animal farming. 

The process involves extracting DNA from a live chicken and combining it with yeast in a fermentation tank, where it is fed sugars, vitamins, and minerals. The result is a fermented meat protein, which is then dried and ground into a powder suitable for pet food. 

“We’re using a technology that has been around for more than half a century to produce animal proteins more efficiently and responsibly,” said Rich Kelleman, founder and CEO of Bond Pet Foods.

Nick Braden, vice president of Wilbur-Ellis Pet Nutrition, underlined the unwavering commitment to sustainability in this partnership. 

“Our collaboration with Bond is a testament to our dedication to advancing sustainability in livestock production. It’s not a shift, but an expansion of our efforts to introduce new products that enhance sustainability within the pet industry,” Braden reassured. 

He highlighted the potential of precision fermentation to provide diverse ingredient options, helping to address strains on ingredient sources and allowing for the creation of innovative pet food products. 

This approach not only supports vegan and vegetarian recipes but also mainstream brands, aligning with trends of humanization and sustainability in pet food.

Bond Pet Foods has garnered support from prominent investors in the alternative protein and biotechnology sectors, including Genoa VC, Lever VC, ADM Ventures, and Cavallo Ventures (Wilbur-Ellis). 

Earlier this year, the company delivered two metric tons of animal protein to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, marking a significant milestone towards commercializing its fermentation technology for pet food. 

This large-scale delivery enables Hill’s to formulate test products for regulatory review and evaluation at its Pet Nutrition Center in Topeka, Kansas. 

While US regulators have approved the sale of chicken made from animal cells for human food, cultivated meat has not yet been approved as a pet food ingredient.

For all the latest grains industry news from Africa, the Middle East, and the World, subscribe to our weekly NEWSLETTERS, follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.