ProSeed - Transforming food waste into high value ingredients
ProSeed’s mission is to revolutionize the food industry by upcycling brewery by-products into high-value raw materials for the production of food ingredients. We aim to assist breweries in managing their by-products, which currently pose challenges for them. Through our innovative production unit, we provide breweries with a hassle-free solution to transform their by-products into food-grade raw materials for protein- and fiber-rich ingredients for pasta, meat alternatives and more, resulting in additional revenue while reducing waste.
Who are the people behind the project and what is your background?
Behind ProSeed, you'll find a dynamic team with diverse expertise. Founders Aurélien and Mateo combine backgrounds in food technology engineering, micro engineering, as well as innovative service and product development. Aurélien leads business development and R&D, while Mateo oversees technology development and manufacturing. Supported by a network of institutions and experts, we bring a 360° vision to ProSeed's development.
How did your idea come into being?
Our university was next to a brewery and very often we saw trucks coming to take the Brewer’s Spent Grains which is the main byproduct of beer production.
Through discussions with brewers, we discovered that this by-product poses challenges due to the need for storage, rapid spoilage, and disposal costs. Our understanding of the extent of this problem expanded as we visited multiple breweries across Switzerland, each producing tons of Brewer's Spent Grains on a daily basis.
By digging deeper into the subject, we realized the untapped potential of the nutrients in this by-product for human consumption. Initially, our journey began with this project as a master's thesis, where we developed an innovative business model and technology. Encouraged by positive market feedback, we transitioned to ProSeed as a startup, driven by our passion for creating a positive impact on the food system.
What is your idea to impactfully design a climate positive FOODprint for Switzerland?
ProSeed is committed to generating a climate-positive impact in Switzerland by revolutionizing the food industry through the transformation of beer production by-products into valuable ingredients. Acting as a crucial link between breweries and ingredient manufacturers, ProSeed offers a scalable, cost-effective solution to reduce food waste. Our innovative business model and technology empower breweries to effectively transform their by-products into food-grade raw materials, which ProSeed supplies to ingredient manufacturers. Implementing ProSeed's autonomous system installed directly at breweries not only generates extra revenue but also leads to waste reduction and cost savings. The transformation of by-products into food-grade raw materials significantly contributes to waste reduction and the decrease of CO2 emissions.
How do you define the positive impact of your solution on the problem described above?
ProSeed's solution brings about a positive impact across various stakeholders within the food industry. We optimize the use of natural resources and give farmers' food products a second life. For brewers, we provide a hassle-free and cost-effective means of managing by-products, facilitating the upcycling of 80,000 tons of Brewers' Spent Grain annually in Switzerland. Through our transformation of brewery by-products into valuable raw materials and our waste reduction efforts, we effectively diminish CO2 emissions within Switzerland's food industry, promoting a more sustainable and climate-friendly approach. A preliminary life cycle assessment conducted in collaboration with DSS+, a consultancy firm specializing in sustainable operational management, validates the outstanding outcomes of our solution in reducing CO2 emissions.
