Nutrinsic

Nutrinsic operates at the intersection of environmental technology and animal nutrition, focusing on the upcycling of underutilized nutrients from industrial wastewater. The company was conceived by two environmental engineering PhD students from the Colorado School of Mines, Andy Logan and Seth Terry, who identified an opportunity to repurpose nutrient-rich water from a nearby Coors brewery. Founded in 2003 under the name Oberon FMR, the company rebranded as Nutrinsic to better reflect its mission.

The core of Nutrinsic's business is a patented process that transforms nutrients found in the wastewater of food and beverage processors into a high-quality, single-cell protein meal called ProFloc. This technology cultivates a polyculture of naturally occurring, non-GMO bacteria that thrive on the nutrients in the wastewater, effectively cleaning the water while generating a valuable co-product. The resulting ProFloc is a protein ingredient containing around 60% protein, designed for the animal nutrition market, serving as a sustainable alternative to conventional feed components like fish meal for both aquatic and terrestrial animals.

Nutrinsic's business model creates a symbiotic relationship with its clients, primarily large food and beverage manufacturers. The company co-locates its production facilities at client sites, taking their nutrient-laden wastewater as a free input for its process. This arrangement provides a dual benefit: the client gets its wastewater treated, reducing its disposal costs and environmental impact, while Nutrinsic gains the raw material to produce and sell ProFloc. The company established its first U.S. production facility in Trenton, Ohio, in partnership with a MillerCoors brewery, capable of producing 5,000 tons of ProFloc annually. It also operated a joint-venture facility in China. Over its active years, the company secured significant venture funding, including a $12.7 million round in 2014, from investors such as Artiman Ventures, IDG Capital, and High Country Venture. PitchBook data indicates the company ceased operations around September 2019.

Keywords: upcycling, wastewater treatment, animal nutrition, single-cell protein, ProFloc, sustainable feed, nutrient recovery, food processing byproduct, circular economy, microbial protein, aquaculture feed, cleantech, industrial biotechnology, biowaste valorization, water reclamation, sustainable agriculture, environmental engineering, brewery wastewater, protein ingredients, alternative protein