Roquette commits itself to the development of a new generation of vegetable proteins

More than 9 billion people by 2050: the challenges of global population growth are difficult to exaggerate. Plant-based raw materials have a critical role to play. In response to this reality, the Roquette group has decided to strengthen its position as a major player in the development of plant-based proteins by creating a dedicated research programme, called PROTEOV^®.

Roquette, a biorefiner of international scale, has been processing plant-based raw materials for over 75 years during which it  has played a significant role in the development of their value and effectiveness of all of the constituents. The PROTEOV® research programme was launched in 2011 and is dedicated to the development of high-value nutritional and functional protein solutions. Coordinated by Roquette’s Research and Development Centre in Lestrem, northern France, the programme provides the company with a major new resource. This will rapidly complement and reinforce Roquette’s current plant-derived protein offer in the Nutrition and Health fields (human and animal nutrition in general and sports, weight management/slimming , clinical and infant nutrition in particular).

Anne Cortier, Director of the Nutrition and Health Programmes, explains:  “The PROTEOV® programme aims to provide our customers with a range of plant-derived proteins that both meet  expectations in terms of nutritional and functional benefits but also provide the more environmentally-friendly solutions obtainable with alternatives to animal protein. The research programme has the financial, technical and human resources to match Roquette Group’s ambitions, i e multi-disciplinary teams, laboratories, pilot production areas, application centres and pre-industrial units. In addition, PROTEOV® fits into the process of open innovation. The objective is to pool skills and expertise in order to speed up the marketing of new products.”

The initial work enabled the PROTEOV® teams to deepen skills in protein characterization from analytical, sensory, nutritional and functional standpoints. Concrete results are about to emerge with the launch in the coming weeks of new nutritional solutions.

“With an average annual growth of 5% in volume terms over the last 3 years1, the plant-based protein market has to satisfy ever-increasing consumer demand. The ability to meet this demand depends on new plant-derived sources delivering reliable, sustainable and affordable alternatives to animal proteins or soybeans. Consumers want products that are healthy and sustainable and that at the same time offer an attractive taste and texture. The PROTEOV® programme will strengthen the pea-based biorefinery industry, in which Roquette is a global leader.”, points out Bruno Gehin, Head of the PROTEOV® Programme.

Featuring a production capacity potential of over 600,000 tons of protein, the Group has developed over 50 years, a real expertise in the field of plant-based proteins. A processes and applications pioneer, the Group owns many patents. Its exceptional range of products and protein solutions make it one of the major players in the plant-derived proteins market.

Source: http://www.roquette-food.com