Alternative proteins are projected to account for 11 per cent of the global protein market by 2035. In alternative protein production, pumps are essential for accurate additive dosing, including nutrients and anti-foaming agents, transferring the protein product and adjusting pH levels to maintain optimum conditions.
Steffen Knoedler, Global Business Development Manager for Food & Beverage at Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS), shared insights on how the right pumps can help manufacturers to overcome bioprocessing challenges.
Cutting costs
Alternative protein manufacturers can keep production costs down by selecting pump technology that is easy to clean and compatible with both single and multi-use systems, enabling flexible process design and improving efficiency, as well as reducing downtime associated with cleaning. By selecting pumps that can accommodate a wide range of applications, manufacturers can streamline operations and reduce the need to invest in multiple sets of equipment.
Pumps with high dosing accuracy will minimise waste of expensive additives and ensure bioreactor conditions remain optimal. This results in lower material costs and prevents the need to use extra energy to compensate for condition imbalances. As well as lowering costs, these benefits simultaneously align with sustainability goals.
Quality and consistency
Taste and texture are critical factors in the success of the alternative protein industry. The risks of poor product quality and batch inconsistency are particularly significant at the cell cultivation stage of alternative protein production. Selecting pumps with low-shear capabilities is essential for manufacturers to protect the integrity of their final product. Low shear pumps minimise the physical stress exerted on the sensitive proteins, which can easily be damaged during pumping.
To mitigate the risk of batch loss due to inconsistencies between batches, manufacturers can use advanced pump technologies that include flexible in-process controls, such as 100 per cent in-process weight checking and zero-waste start-up. These features are vital in maintaining the precision required to consistently produce high-quality batches and reduce batch losses.
Scaling up
As the start-ups in the alternative proteins sector aim to expand to an industrial scale, they require pump systems that are reliable and scalable, capable of handling volumes ranging from as little as 0.5 litres/hour to over 20,000 litres/hour. A dependable pumping solution ensures smooth, uninterrupted operation, helping start-ups maintain consistency and efficiency as they scale up their production processes.
Combining this with systems that facilitate fast changeover between batches through seamless integration of pumps and single-use technologies will reduce production time while retaining reliability. Ultimately, partnering with a supplier that understands the unique needs of the alternative protein industry and can provide scalable, reliable pump systems will play a key role in these start-ups’ long-term success and growth.
Expert solutions
As a specialist in fluid path solutions for both the biopharma and food and beverage industries, Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) offers a comprehensive portfolio of peristaltic pump solutions tailored for alternative protein production.
The expert WMFTS team can work with alternative protein manufacturers to optimise every process step and eliminate inefficiencies. Its pumps can handle a range of different materials and products, saving manufacturers money in building the system and reducing manufacturing costs.
Pumps such as the Watson-Marlow 500 and 600 pumps can be used to precisely dose additives into the bioreactor. Certa Sine pumps can transfer the alternative protein product with gentle conveying, protecting the integrity and structure of the valuable proteins. Product viability during cell culture is maintained with highly accurate precision dosing from micro volumes to millilitres.
WMFTS can support alternative protein manufacturers to scale to commercialisation and has a global logistics network to match global growth goals. WMFTS is committed to helping the alternative protein industry thrive by providing scalable, reliable, and efficient pump solutions.
The need to sustainably provide the increasing global population with a protein-rich diet is driving high projected growth in the alternative protein market. However, for this growth to be realised, manufacturers must overcome bioprocessing challenges such as cost reduction, maintaining product quality, and scaling up. Pumps that are precise, flexible, and sterile are crucial to enhancing the efficiency and scalability of alternative protein production, ensuring these processes are both sustainable and cost-effective.
Visit the Watson-Marlow website for more information
