Sustainable production of Swedish plant-based protein concentrates and textured products
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | GroPro AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 651 300 |
| Project duration | November 2022 - November 2024 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Food from the future |
| Call | The everyday food of the future - Swedish processing of plant-based raw materials - step 2 |
Important results from the project
The objective of the project was to investigate whether there were conditions for installing an extruder in connection with the production of protein concentrate at GroPro. The products were evaluated and practical within the project, and by several food producers in Sweden with positive results. A decision was made to invest in an extruder identical to the one on which the test products were produced. In 2025, GroPro will start production of extruded products, mainly for the Swedish market.
Expected long term effects
Hopefully there will be more Swedish extruded products on the market in the future. This will reduce the need to import extruded products, mainly soy. GroPro now also has access to expertise and a pilot plant for extrusion, which makes it possible to produce new, more specialized products. It is also possible to extrude products from raw materials other than yellow peas and field beans.
Approach and implementation
In summary: • Literature study, as well as manufacturing and optimization of protein concentrates. • Manufacture of extruded products first on a pilot scale already in full production. • Evaluation of manufactured extruded products, internally and at intended customers. Against the background of the above, an economic and technical assessment was made regarding investment for a smaller extruder at GroPro. The result was that GroPro will start producing and selling extruded products in 2025.