Proteins structure our cells and build up our bodies. A daily dose is key to keep our cells in good shape. Proteins should be part of everyday nutrition. And therefore, providing proteins to a growing global population of around 10 billion people by 2050 requires finding sustainable sources today. Plant based proteins provide a solution. Regardless of the origin, whether sourced from nuts, mushrooms, vegetables or even the sea there are feasible opportunities within reach.
However, several challenges need to be faced. Can plant based proteins be grown profitably? How do they affect product flavour? What is required to safely and economically scale-up production? Typical questions that can be addressed by the Green Protein Excellence Centre; an open innovation platform that aims to accelerate the transition to plant based proteins.
GPEC welcomes innovative start-ups and entrepreneurial SMEs to join GPEC for the transition to plant based proteins. Our unique added value in scaling up plant based protein applications lies in:
Value chain approach
We work together with strong partners in an eco-system to shorten the time to market.
Customised approach
We tailor the support in terms of expertise and infrastructure to meet the specific requirements of the presented request.
Safety and security
As a reliable sparring partner we validate and certify, providing you a secure base to take the next steps.
Whether you’re looking for a protein expert sparring session or require a suitable space for a pilot plant, GPEC provides support through its facilities, the know-how and the professionals. Resources which are owned by the partners. GPEC aims to encourage and accelerate the development of alternative proteins for food and feed applications and will primarily act as a catalyst and facilitator of food safe infrastructure required for scale up purposes.
conceptual design, modelling, costing and LCA.
experimental design and technology validation in lab and in industrial pilot equipment / facilities.
engineering, technology development and operations support.
bakery, meat replacement, dairy, granola bars and confectionary.
rheology, adsorption, chemical/microbiological analyses and sensoric analysis in a fully-equipped sensory research space for end-user product assessment.
integration of all aspects into a business case to validate the future business.
conversion of plant based raw materials by a biorefinery approach as, fractionation, separation, purification and drying into food ingredients.
GPEC partners are Royal Cosun, HAS green academy, The Protein Brewery, BioscienZ and Rabobank. Cosun is in the lead of shaping the platform into an innovation cluster while leveraging large-scale circular processes and systems in the arable farming and horticultural value chains which are prominently present in the Brabant region in the Netherlands. The platform’s open character encourages new partnerships to be established and new participants to join the plant based protein movement.
Royal Cosun is an international leading agro-industrial cooperative committed to unlocking the potential of plants into everyday solutions for food, feed and non-food, such as plant based food ingredients for humans and animals, biobased non-food applications and green energy.
BioscienZ is an industrial biotechnology company focused on developing new technologies based on microbial fermentation as a core competence. The company provides contract research activities besides serving as an incubator for proprietary technologies.
The Protein Brewery is a high tech company that specialises in the development and manufacturing of animal-free proteins while focusing on sustainability.
Rabobank is a global leader in food and agriculture financing and sustainability-oriented banking.
HAS green academy is the leading University of Applied Sciences for agriculture, food and the living environment with education and research centers in the south of the Netherlands.
The GPEC infrastructure is based out of Steenbergen on the industrial site Nieuw Prinsenland in the Brabant region in The Netherlands and is partly operating from Breda. Facilities for scale up development are provided by the pilot plants Inicio and The Protein Brewery, the Cosun Innovation Center and the Food Experience Center of TPB. The latter, in proximity of Inicio, houses fully equipped state-of-the-art laboratories to further support product development, process technology, analysis, research and more. Nieuw Prinsenland also offers the opportunity to establish a protein production site.
Part of ecosystem
GPEC is convinced that the exchange of know-how and experience with other experts will help accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system. We encourage the cross fertilisation of initiatives and the use of facilities across the ecosystem to find the best solution for your challenge. GPEC has a vast network of connections across the ecosystem and will bring you in contact with the right partner for specific areas of expertise.
If you are interested in learning more about our proposition, we are more than happy to discuss your requirements and ambitions. Please reach out by email to info@gpec.nl
