New Vistas into Intensified Production Alternatives for Food Waste-Derived Novel Proteins

Abstract Alternative protein technologies are overwhelmingly designed and assessed for high-income markets, yet the regions with the greatest protein deficiency are rare where such processes are first deployed. Here, we close that gap for food waste-derived single-cell protein (SCP) by coupling multilevel process intensification with scenario-resolved technoeconomic and life-cycle assessment. We generate three SCP configurations from food waste biogas and evaluate each under three hydrogen/electricity scenarios through cradle-to-gate life-cycle assessment, Monte Carlo technoeconomic analysis, and first-of-a-kind deployment projection. Only co-cultivation of methanotrophic and hydrogenotrophic bacteria powered by dedicated renewable electricity approaches economic viability, with a minimum product selling price (MPSP) of $3.59/kg, an 11.5% probability of a positive net present value, and a global warming potential of 1.02 kg CO2-eq/kg SCP. The hydrogen and electricity supply route dominates the carbon footprint, and its effect on cost is comparable to that of process topology. First-of-a-kind plants carry a 73% premium over the mature cost. A 50-country overlay coupling socioeconomic viability with protein deficiency identifies 20 priority targets on a combined viability-need screen.