MiAlgae plans to expand abroad with pet food in its sights

MiAlgae, a company looking to update the omega-3 additive manufacturing industry, is considering expanding to the US and Australia after it builds a new facility in Scotland this summer.

The Edinburgh-based company is slated to open a new plant in Scotland’s Central Belt. Company officials say the new facility will more than quadruple its production capacity as it prepares to scale its tech.

MiAlgae is part of Mars Petcare’s Next Generation Pet Food Program, a partnership that aims to drive sustainability in pet startups. MiAlgae was also a finalist for the 2024 Earthshot Prize, an environmental impact award given out by the UK-based non-profit of the same name.

Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly added to pet foods, as they support brain and coat health. The products are often derived from fish oil, but with an eye toward sustainability, MiAlgae hopes to change that.

What’s the plan?

It’s unclear when the product will be commercially available, but Jo Partridge, MiAlgae’s Operations Director, says the company’s omega-3 products are undergoing tests by pet food makers.

GlobalPETS learned that MiAlgae is already in talks with pet food manufacturers. “Whilst we’re not yet at the stage of announcing specific contracts, we’re confident about the role our product will play in the pet food market,” says Partridge.

She also states that MiAlgae wants to become a global partner for companies using omega-3s, with particular interest in the US and Australia.

“Both regions offer access to byproduct streams from local industries and strong potential markets for sustainable pet food solutions,” Partridge says.

“By positioning production near feedstock sources, we aim to further reduce the carbon footprint of our process while maximizing efficiency. We already have existing feedstock partners in these areas, which strengthens the feasibility of expansion.”

Cutting out the “middle fish”

Currently, a large amount of omega-3s produced come from farmed or wild-caught fish. MiAlgae markets itself as a sustainable solution to demand for the nutrient by instead collecting omega-3s directly from algae.

It uses industry byproducts to feed its algae, which produce the necessary acids. “Fish do not produce Omega-3s themselves; they acquire them by consuming algae,” the company’s website explains. “MiAlgae’s innovative model bypasses the ‘middle fish’” to reduce dependence on wild fishing.