Deep Branch announced today (May 24), that the signed memorandum of understanding (MoU), will see the two companies determine the feasibility of constructing its first commercial scale plant to boost the production of Proton™ in Iceland.

Proton is Deep Branch’s single-cell proton made from clean hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which Deep Branch says has a comparable nutritional profile to fishmeal.

However, unlike fishmeal, there is no fluctuation in price or yield, and has a low impact on the environment thanks to its use of clean hydrogen and carbon-dioxide.

The agreement will see the companies collaborating to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) with outcomes expected to be delivered by the end of 2022.

Pete Rowe, CEO at Deep Branch, said, “Collaborating with Landsvirkjun, a leading innovator in the energy industry, is a deliberate step in our process of determining the optimal location for our first commercial production facility.

“Iceland is a strong example of how renewable energy can power a modern economy and be utilised as a resource in the agriculture industry.”

The news follows the construction of Deep Branch’s pilot plant in the Netherlands, with the company also evaluating other potential locations for future commercial-scale facilities to be built within the next five years.

Sigurdur Markusson, Executive Director of Innovation at Landsvirkjun, addedm “Our collaboration with Deep Branch is a very exciting step in Iceland’s eco-industrial development and a positive contribution to the early development of the country’s hydrogen economy.

“We believe that Iceland can play a big role in powering new and innovative solutions for the food system with our unique access to renewable resources.”