ÄIO (äio tech OÜ) – founded in January 2022 by Nemailla Bonturi (PhD, Brazil) and Petri-Jaan Lahtvee (PhD, Estonia), is not just a startup, spinoff or company — it’s a vision to revolutionize how the world produces fats and oils.
How It All Began
Nemailla and Petri-Jaan’s journey towards ÄIO began in Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), in the Bioengineering research group, where they united their expertise in fermtech to tackle a pressing global issue: the environmental impact of traditional fat and oil production. With a shared passion for sustainability and innovation,they envisioned a solution to replace palm oil, coconut oil and animal fats with biotechnologically produced alternatives.
“We wanted to prove that industrial by-products can be the foundation of a sustainable and scalable fats and oils. It’s all about rethinking waste,” says Nemailla Bonturi, co-founder and CEO of ÄIO.
By leveraging Estonia’s strong research and development capabilities,the duo transformed their academic insights into a business. In just three years, ÄIO has grown into a thriving startup, proving that Estonia punches well above its weight in the global innovation arena.
Milestones on the Journey
Since its inception, ÄIO has achieved several significant milestones:
- Team Growth: From a two-person founding team, ÄIO has expanded to 20 dedicated employees.
- Product Innovation: The company offers three products: Encapsulated oil, Red Oil, Buttery fats.
- Process Development: ÄIO’s biotechnology process utilizes industrial by-products to create sustainable fats and oils, reducing environmental impact and waste.
- Recognition and Partnerships: ÄIO has been featured in sustainability forums, built partnerships with key industry players, and positioned itself as a strong developer in microbial fat production.
“Scaling from the lab to real-world applications has been the most rewarding challenge,” reflects Petri-Jaan Lahtvee, co-founder and COO of ÄIO. “Every milestone represents not just our progress, but the potential impact we can have globally.”
ÄIO’s Process: A Game-Changer
At the heart of ÄIO’s innovation lies its unique approach to resource efficiency. By recycling industrial organic by-products as raw materials, ÄIO turns waste into value. The result? High-quality, sustainable fats that are not only environmentally friendly but also versatile enough for applications in food, feed, cosmetics, and household chemicals.
This process not only minimizes the ecological footprint but also addresses critical global challenges, such as deforestation caused by traditional palm oil cultivation and the unsustainable use of animal fats.
“Our technology bridges sustainability and functionality. It’s exciting to see how our products can transform industries without compromising on quality,” adds Kristi Lember, Global Business Developer at ÄIO.
Representing Estonia on the Global Stage
As an Estonian startup, ÄIO is a proud ambassador of the country’s innovation-driven spirit. Estonia, known for its digital-first mindset and entrepreneurial ecosystem, has provided ÄIO with the perfect environment to thrive. By showcasing the power of Estonian research, ingenuity, and sustainability on the global stage, ÄIO strengthens the nation’s reputation as a hub for groundbreaking ideas.
“Estonia has been our launchpad, but our ambitions are global. We want the world to see what Estonian innovation is capable of,” notes Nemailla Bonturi.
What’s Next for ÄIO?
As ÄIO celebrates its third birthday, the future looks bright. With plans to scale operations, expand its product range, and foster more international partnerships, the company is well on its way to achieving its goal of becoming a global leader in microbial fat production.
“This is just the beginning,” concludes Petri-Jaan Lahtvee. “We’re not just building a company; we’re building a sustainable future.
A Final Word
From its beginnings at TalTech to its growing recognition on the global stage, ÄIO’s journey is an inspiring example of innovation in action. With its groundbreaking products, sustainable processes, and ambitious goals, ÄIO is not just building a business — it’s shaping the future.
Stay tuned for what’s next from this dynamic Estonian startup!
IN SHORT:
What
ÄIO develops environmentally friendly oils and fats from wood and agricultural residues, offering sustainable alternatives to commonly used oils in the food, cosmetics and household industries.
Why
Users, primarily in the food, cosmetics and household products industries, can replace traditional oils with ÄIO’s sustainable alternatives. These products are easy to integrate into existing production processes and offer similar or superior performance compared to conventional oils. ÄIO’s products offer significant environmental benefits, including reduced land use, water consumption, and CO2 emissions compared to conventional oils and fats.
How
ÄIO’s technology transforms by-products from the wood and agricultural industries into food-grade oils and fats using a specialized fermentation process. This process is faster and much less harmful to the environment, significantly reducing land and water usage.
