Turning Pine Waste into Premium Proteins
A five-year, $10.4 million initiative will harness Precision Fermentation (PF) to convert pine forestry residues into high-value proteins.
Led by Drs David Hooks and Scott Knowles from the Bioeconomy Science Institute, the initiative will convert softwood residues - typically discarded or burned - into fermentation feedstocks through novel chemoenzymatic methods. These feedstocks will then be used to cultivate engineered yeast strains capable of producing specialty proteins such as osteopontin and casozepine, which mimic the nutritional and functional benefits of traditional animal-derived ingredients.
The programme supports New Zealand’s transition to a low-emission circular bioeconomy and addresses key challenges in feedstock availability, manufacturing scale, and the regulatory environment surrounding gene technologies.
Professor Munish Puri from Massey University is also a key member of the research team that combines expertise in synthetic biology, fermentation, bioresource processing, and digital modelling. Collaborators include researchers from the University of Auckland, and independent specialists. Industry partners across the supply chain will provide commercial oversight and help shape future applications, while an international Science Advisory Panel will guide development and benchmark progress against global PF advancements.
Scientific innovations expected from the programme include:
- Novel enzymes to convert lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars
- Yeast engineering through adaptive evolution for high protein expression
- Single-cell protein as a co-product for animal feed
- Digital twin modelling to simulate and optimise PF processes
“This is more than a research programme,” said Dr Hooks. “It’s a blueprint for how New Zealand can lead in the next generation of food and biotech innovation.”
He added: “This is about creating value from what we already have. New Zealand has abundant bioresources and world-class science. Precision Fermentation allows us to connect the two.”
Dr Knowles noted: “By converting forestry residues into feedstocks, we’re unlocking a new pathway for sustainable protein production—one that aligns with global efforts to build climate-resilient food systems.”
