Enifer study finds PEKILO Pet mycoprotein has seven times lower carbon footprint than soy protein

Enifer, a Finnish biotechnology company, has released the results of its latest Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for its proprietary mycoprotein ingredient, PEKILO Pet. The study determines the carbon footprint (CFP) of the ingredient and highlights its potential as a sustainable option for the pet food industry. The findings indicate that PEKILO Pet has a significantly lower CFP than many conventional pet food proteins, including soy protein concentrate, insect protein, and lamb-based ingredients.

The study reports that PEKILO Pet's cradle-to-gate CFP, which accounts for fossil, biogenic, Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUC) emissions, is 0.93 kg CO₂e per kilogram of product. By comparison, soy protein concentrate produces up to 6.7 kg CO₂e per kilogram, making PEKILO Pet approximately seven times more carbon efficient. It also outperforms insect protein powder (1.15 kg CO₂e/kg) and generates five times fewer emissions than high-quality dry pet food ingredients like lamb (5.84 kg CO₂e/kg). The reduction in emissions is equivalent to driving 46 kilometers less in an average gasoline-powered car per kilogram of PEKILO Pet used.

"We are incredibly pleased with the results of this CFP study, which validate the environmental benefits of PEKILO Pet and our production process in Kantvik, Finland," said Simo Ellilä, CEO of Enifer. "The findings reinforce our mission to offer sustainable, high-protein solutions to the pet food industry. Constructing new PEKILO Pet production facilities across Europe will be a major step in expanding our impact."

The study also identifies the key contributors to PEKILO Pet’s emissions. The production process, including electricity and steam usage, accounts for 47% of the total CFP. Raw materials contribute 38%, while transportation makes up 14%. The fossil CFP alone is 0.80 kg CO₂e/kg, with raw materials responsible for 45% of this amount and production processes contributing 38%. The LULUC emissions for PEKILO Pet are notably low at 0.00213 kg CO₂e/kg, as the production process does not require direct land use.

PEKILO Pet is produced through a biomass fermentation process utilizing a unique fungal strain. This technique, similar to methods used in brewing and soy sauce production, yields a mycoprotein powder rich in protein and beta-glucan fiber while being low in fat and carbohydrates. The ingredient is highly digestible and palatable, making it a viable alternative to traditional pet food proteins.

Enifer’s first full-scale production facility, a €33 million investment, is on schedule to begin operations in early 2026. The detailed engineering phase is nearing completion, and major equipment has been ordered to ensure the project remains on track. Once fully operational, the facility will convert agricultural and food industry by-products into 3,000 tons of dry mycoprotein per year.

With the global pet population continuing to grow, concerns about the environmental footprint of pet nutrition are increasing. Research suggests that the ecological impact of pet food can rival that of human diets, depending on pet size and diet composition. As demand for sustainable pet food ingredients rises, Enifer is actively exploring additional factory locations worldwide to expand production capacity.

While the study provides a comprehensive assessment of PEKILO Pet's emissions, some limitations are noted. The process data is based on projected estimates from the Kantvik production facility rather than actual operational measurements. A reassessment may be conducted once real production data becomes available. Additionally, the study focuses solely on greenhouse gas emissions, while other environmental indicators could be evaluated for a more holistic sustainability assessment. The reliance on emission factors from the Ecoinvent database introduces potential limitations in geographical specificity, though the overall findings remain robust.