Improving the protein content of pulse-based products
Make
Consortia Contribution
$1,973,061
Cluster Contribution
$1,985,305
GrainFrac Inc.
Ripple Foods
Tomtene Seed Farm
Goal
Bring a broader variety of high quality, high purity plant proteins to market in a much more cost-effective and sustainable manner.
Project Summary
GrainFrac Inc., Tomtene Seed Farm and Ripple Foods will develop new pulse-based protein ingredients and beverages, using technology that reduces water and energy use associated with processing.
The partners will process pulses grown and supplied by Tomtene Seed Farm, using specialized dry processing technology patented by GrainFrac. Starches and proteins from these pulses will be separated to extract as much protein as possible into concentrates and isolates, which Ripple Foods plans to test in new beverage formulations.
The ingredients shown to have the highest protein content will be used in Ripple Foods’ formulations, as well as marketed to other processors and manufacturers outside of the partnership following the completion of the project. The investment is expected to help both introduce new products to the market as well as scale up GrainFrac’s processing technology. This scale-up will help GrainFrac quantify the environmental benefits associated with the technology’s dry processing capabilities, including its reduction in water use.
Results and Impact
- Met its cost reduction and sustainability goals by using superior dry processing capabilities. Resulting in significant reduction of water utilization and subsequent lower energy use, this project achieved the targeted cost reduction and green house gas emission reduction.
- Initiated and developed multiple strategic partnerships to supply their products and/or license their technology internationally.
- Enabled the development of plant-based protein products with higher Plant Protein Isolate inclusion rates.
- Enables the achievement of industry competitive cost of good and operational expenses at a much lower capital cost threshold, helping to accelerate the adoption of plant-based products.
- Collaborated with the University of Alberta to utilize their intellectual property.
