There is a great demand for proteins all over the world, and several positive benefits of faba beans make this particular type of protein far more attractive when it comes to health and sustainability. The company Meelunie GPI A/S is building a factory for extracting plant protein from faba beans in Hedensted, Denmark. A broad partnership consisting of SiccaDania, the Dutch Meelunie B.V., Copenhagen University, the Danish Green Investment Fund (Danmarks Grønne Investeringsfond) and Ringkjøbing Landbobank supports the project, a project with investments of approximately 250 million DKK.
Alternative protein for the food industry will become a key ingredient in future food. Danish Meelunie GPI is showing the way with a new type of plant-based protein extracted from faba beans. The company’s vision is grand: Faba bean protein will become a central source of energy in the food of the future. This little bean can function both as a substitute for meat. But also the faba bean can also substitute several other plant protein sources which have already made their way into the market. This also includes soya protein which is an important ingredient in plant-based milk and meat alternatives. In contrast to soya protein, faba bean protein has several positive benefits:
“Faba beans are first and foremost more nutritious. In addition, the faba bean is significantly better to grow for the environment. It does not need to be grown on the other side of the globe, where transport, in turn, has a negative effect on the climate. At Meelunie-GPI, we want to revolutionise the current way of thinking about plant proteins, and here the faba bean plays a major role,” says Lars Laursen, Managing Director at Meelunie GPI.
Ground-breaking within plant-based proteins
Several investors are backing this ground-breaking project. The process is developed based on patented research done by the University of Copenhagen and BiOptimate. The Dutch ingredients trader Meelunie B.V. will handle the marketing and sales of the final protein product. The Danish process technology provider SiccaDania will deliver the technology and process knowledge as well as the construction of the plant. While the Danish Green Investment Fund and Ringkjøbing Landbobank will provide funding for the project. Finally, the faba beans will be delivered by Hornsyld Købmandsgaard A/S.
“At SiccaDania, we have worked intensively to develop this project over the past few years. It is therefore with great satisfaction that we can now start the construction of the factory, which will produce proteins, starch and food fibres from faba beans. This project holds great prospects for the stakeholders involved. The project will also make a significant contribution toward putting Denmark on the world map for the development and sustainable production of alternative proteins. If the total amount of protein from the new factory is used as a meat substitute for beef, the total annual CO2 emission will be reduced by approx. 400,000 tons. It is so significant that it can be seen on the country’s CO2 bottom line,” says CEO of SiccaDania, Søren Sten Rasmussen.
Capital to mature the technology
The world is facing major challenges with food scarcity. At the same time, the foods must be produced in accordance with the planet’s resources. We must also develop commercially viable alternatives to meat protein, which we know affects the climate significantly more negatively than plant-based alternatives, says Michael Zöllner, Managing Director of the Danish Green Investment Fund (Danmarks Grønne Investeringsfond):
“As the population increases around the world, there is a crucial need to develop new ways of producing protein enabling us to feed everyone. And at the same time reduce our negative impact on the climate. In the Danish Green Investment Fund, we will be a part of developing new technologies that contribute positively to the climate and nature. Here, plant protein has several important properties that help to create better conditions both for the climate and nature. That is why we are pleased to help finance the further development of Meelunie GPI.”
There is a great deal to gain both commercially and in regard to sustainability which is also why Ringkjøbing Landbobank will finance the project:
“SiccaDania and Meelunie GPI have developed an exciting concept for protein extraction of foods. This, in contrast to other alternatives, will be produced in our own backyard. The project supports Denmark’s continued development towards being a front-runner for sustainability and protein extraction. We are happy to participate as a financial investor together with our long-term collaborator the Danish Green Investment Fund. We hope that Meelunie GPI can become a Danish business success” says Credit Manager Dan Junker Astrup.
With an increasing demand for plant-based food, Meelunie GPI is looking into a billion-dollar market when the technology and the product have matured further, says Lars Laursen:
“Plant proteins will become the main ingredient in future foods – both for the sake of the climate, but also because the consumers demand plant-based diets. That is why we also believe that we can play a major role in this sector globally.”
About Meelunie GPI A/S
Meelunie GPI A/S is owned by Meelunie B.V. from the Netherlands, SiccaDania from Denmark as well as a number of Danish key investors, including Ole Kaae Hansen and Claus Hommelhoff. Meelunie B.V. is a global supplier of plant-based ingredients; Proteins, starch, fibres and sweeteners.
About Ringkjøbing Landbobank
Ringkjøbing Landbobank is a bank that specialised in several niches including Private Banking, wholesale, business and sustainable energy. The bank has equity of approx. 8 billion DKK and a market value of approx. 18 billion DKK. The cost percentage is 36%, which indicates that the bank is Denmark’s most efficient. The bank thus possesses great competitiveness for the benefit of the customers.
The international rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has given the bank a credit rating of Aa3, which is the best among Danish banks. Analyses from Voxmeter show that Ringkjøbing Landbobank scores highly on both customer satisfaction and image. In short, the bank is a competent, energetic and proper bank, that is always available to get in touch with.
About the Danish Green Investment Fund (Danmarks Grønne Investeringsfond)
The Danish Green Investment Fund is an independent government loan fund that aims to co-finance investments that promote a green transformation of Danish society. The fund will help to build a bridge between traditional sources of financing and equity. It operates with both a green and a commercial focus. The Danish Green Investment Fund provides financing within five core areas: Energy and supply, food and agriculture, buildings and infrastructure, materials and resources and transport and mobility.
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