Clean Food Group Secures Transformational Acquisition of
One-Million-Litre Fermentation Facility
Fast-tracking commercialisation and unlocking a US$20 billion market opportunity
Clean Food Group (CFG), a leading UK food-tech pioneer in sustainable oils and fats, has completed a landmark acquisition of the assets of Algal Omega 3 Ltd (AO3).
This transformational move provides CFG with immediate access to one million litres of fermentation capacity, making the business the world’s largest manufacturer of yeast fermentation-derived sustainable oils and fats.
Located on a 12-acre biotech hub in Liverpool, the facility combines extensive R&D capabilities with significant room for future expansion.
A Leap Forward in Commercialisation
CFG has already validated commercial-scale production at the new site, successfully producing two tons of oil in a recent fermentation run. This achievement not only proves the scalability of CFG’s proprietary technology but also demonstrates the ability to integrate seamlessly into existing facilities—avoiding the need for costly, time-intensive new builds.
The acquisition puts CFG in a unique position to bring sustainable microbial oils to market at competitive price points, offering an alternative to agricultural oils across food, cosmetics, and pet food sectors.
Just last week, CFG received regulatory approval for its CLEAN Oil™ 25 product to be used as a cosmetic ingredient across the UK, Europe, and the United States—an important milestone in its path to market.
Leadership to Drive Growth
To oversee the Liverpool facility, Bill Thurston, food manufacturing veteran and former Managing Director of Dawn Foods, CSM Bakery, and CFG NED, has been appointed Managing Director. With more than 30 years’ experience in oils and fats, including leading the acquisition of Unilever’s edible oils and fats business, Bill will spearhead site operations and integration from day one.
Alex Neves, CEO of CFG, commented:
“With this acquisition, we have fast-tracked our route to market, leapfrogging the traditional, capital-intensive path from pilot to demo to new-build commercial plant, which can take years and cost upwards of US$100 million. With commercial-scale validation already established at our new Liverpool facility, Clean Food Group is ready to capitalise on the US$20 billion market opportunity ahead, and to advance its planned Series A funding round, now expected for H1 2026.
This is not just the opening of a fermentation plant—it is the dawn of a new era in UK biotechnology, one that places Liverpool at the beating heart of the new Bio-Industrial Revolution.”
Bill Thurston, Managing Director, added:
“I am very pleased to be joining the executive management team of Clean Food Group at such a transformational time for the business. With my 30 years of experience in commercial and food manufacturing, I look forward to rapidly establishing this site as a global leader in sustainable alternatives to tropical oils.”