Production facilities create waste. It’s a fact of industrial activity. With breweries and many food-processing facilities, this includes wastewater. Until recently, this has been an issue with no satisfying solution. Especially for large breweries, disposal costs money and in the U.S., for example, the law stipulates that breweries remove and treat wastewater safely. The tab: millions of dollars.

In an age of increasingly celebrated—and necessary—green solutions, perhaps the money isn’t the greater issue. Thankfully, a biologist in the U.S. is marketing something that should make breweries happy and, perhaps, the rest of humanity.

Andrew Logan, founder of Oberon FMR in Idaho Springs, Colorado, has developed special microbes that eat food-based wastewater. The result, after drying, is fish flakes, high in single-cell protein (SCP). Those aren’t for your home aquarium but for the aquaculture industry, which is estimated at more than $100 billion dollars. As some populations of fish move dangerously close to the brink of collapse because of human consumption, fish farming has accelerated rapidly. And with that comes the demand for fish food. Initially, this included fish-meal made from small fish like anchovies, but even these populations began dwindling. A high-protein FMR (fish meal replacement) was necessary.

Over ten years ago, Logan and fellow fish researcher Seth Terry read about the possibility of using modified bacteria to create protein. Their graduate school was located very close to Coors (Golden Colorado, U.S.), so they began using Coors’ wastewater in their early endeavors. Eventually, they launched a year-and-a-half pilot program with New Belgium Brewery, producers of Fat Tire ale. Says Logan, “We wanted a fairly sizable location. Fat Tire, being very forward-thinking and environmentally responsible, gave us some space.” Logan’s company has now come full circle through a large deal with MillerCoors.

In taking wastewater off the hands of thankful breweries, Oberon FMR gets its raw materials for free. Everyone wins. Currently, they are looking to build on that success. They will be building their first commercial facility through a successful second round of funding and will use a third to expand overseas. They are targeting south and central Asia, as well as South America. China accounts for the most aquaculture production, and Thailand, the most aquafeed production. But demand for their services extends to Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam and, yes, Japan. Brewers, environmentalists, aquaculture producers and Logan may be clinking glasses here very soon.

Contact:
Andy Logan, Oberon FMR, Inc.
web: www.oberonfmr.com
mail: andy@oberonfmr.com
phone: +1 (303) 889-9123

This article was published in Japan Beer Times # () and is among the limited content available online. Order your copy through our online shop or download the digital version from the iTunes store to access the full contents of this issue.