Crespel & Deiters to Partner with Happy Plant Protein
Crespel & Deiters is partnering with Finnish foodtech company Happy Plant Protein, whose novel dry extrusion process is being used in industrial production for the first time at the company’s site in Helmond, the Netherlands. The goal of the collaboration is to produce textured vegetable proteins from European grown pulses, such as fava beans and peas.
Philipp Deiters, CSO of Food at Crespel & Deiters, stated: “We now see ourselves as refiners of raw materials, […] That is why we actively seek partnerships with companies whose technologies complement our portfolio and know-how. We see great potential in working with Happy Plant Protein.”
The process patented by Happy Plant Protein is dry fractionation via extrusion, an alternative to conventional air classification. In a single process step, the flour is separated into protein and starch fractions and functionalized at the same time.
The application is reportedly well suited to legumes such as fava beans, which are new to the Crespel & Deiters raw material portfolio. While the texturates are neutral in taste, their texture, hydration behavior, and functionality can be tailored to meat alternatives, hybrid products, or ready meals and snacks.
Philipp Deiters added: “Happy Plant Protein’s dry extrusion allows us to produce functional food ingredients sustainably and cost-efficiently, […] In Helmond, we combine the process with our extrusion know-how to produce neutral-tasting TVP from European pulses. These ingredients closely match our customers’ needs and deliver added value both for further processing and the nutritional profile of end products.”
Jari Karlsson, CEO and co-founder of Happy Plant Protein, said: “Growing demand for plant-based ingredients confirms that our process is an important development, […] This partnership enables major manufacturers to easily process top-quality plant proteins.”
Crespel & Deiters specializes in the technological refinement of renewable plant-based raw materials into functional starch and protein products for the food industry, as well as adhesives for the paper processing industry.
