Key Takeaways:
- Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) and Unibio International PLC have formed an 80:20 joint venture to construct the world’s largest single-cell protein facility in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
- The plant will initially produce 50,000 tonnes of Uniprotein® annually, with plans to scale beyond 300,000 tonnes.
- Unibio’s patented vertical loop bioreactor technology will convert natural gas into high-quality, non-GMO animal feed protein.
- Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with commercialisation targeted for 2028.
- The project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda and has received support from multiple Saudi government entities, including a gas allocation from the Ministry of Energy.
SIIG and Unibio Form Joint Venture for Landmark Protein Facility
The Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) and Unibio International PLC have announced the formation of an 80:20 joint venture to develop the world’s largest single-cell protein plant in Saudi Arabia. The facility will be located in Al Jubail and will utilise Unibio’s proprietary fermentation technology to produce Uniprotein®, a sustainable protein source for animal feed.
The partnership builds on SIIG’s US$70 million investment in Unibio in 2023, following which both parties have been working toward bringing industrial-scale fermentation to the Kingdom.
Plant Scale and Production Targets
The Al Jubail facility will have an initial annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of Uniprotein®, with a longer-term plan to expand output to over 300,000 tonnes. The plant is designed to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on imported animal feed and will supply both domestic and international markets.
Front-end engineering design (FEED) has been completed. Construction is anticipated to commence in the second half of 2026, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2028.
SIIG-Backed Technology: Gas to Protein
How Unibio’s Process Works
The plant will deploy Unibio’s vertical loop bioreactor technology — a continuous-flow fermentation process that converts methane into Uniprotein®. The product is non-GMO, free from pesticides, and fully traceable.
Uniprotein® holds regulatory approval for aquaculture use in Saudi Arabia, animal feed approval in the European Union, and additional registrations in other markets. It has been tested across multiple animal species.
Site and Government Support
A gas allocation for the plant has been secured from the Saudi Ministry of Energy. The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu has nominated the project site, and several Saudi government entities have expressed support for the initiative. The project forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the national economy.
SIIG’s Strategic Investment Rationale
For SIIG, the joint venture represents a step in its strategy to grow and diversify its industrial portfolio. The group’s earlier investment in Unibio is expected to accelerate that strategy through this large-scale manufacturing project.
Mr. Abdulrahman Alismail of Saudi Industrial Investment Group stated: “We are excited to work on developing this project alongside our partner Unibio, and look forward to bringing sustainable protein production to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, our region, and the rest of the world. We see this as a strategic investment for our company and the long-term growth in shareholder value. Using Unibio’s technology, we aim to make Saudi Arabia the leader in single-cell protein production and improve food security for both Saudi Arabia and the world’s growing population.”
Unibio’s Vision for the Facility
David Henstrom, CEO of Unibio, commented: “The world needs innovators who collectively want to find a solution to providing food stability for future generations. We believe that our fermentation technology, which incorporates the most efficient reactor of its kind in gas fermentation, is ideal for Saudi Arabia. We are delighted to join with SIIG as a JV partner to bring industrial scale fermentation to the Kingdom and look forward to working together to address an authentic problem — how to feed a growing population with minimal impact on the planet.
