Uralchem Innovation

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2021: Investing 300 million rubles in the production of Russia's first vegetable protein from peas

Uralchem invests 300 million in the rubles production of the first Russia vegetable protein in peas. This became known in mid-July 2021.

As Forbes writes with reference to Azat Gafarov, General Director of Uralchem Innovation (a subsidiary of Uralchem), the indicated amount was spent on creating a pilot plant for deep processing of yellow peas, the main target product will be pea isolate (purified plant protein) with a protein content of more than 80%.

Uralchem invests 300 million rubles in the production of Russia's first vegetable protein from peas

Gafarov clarified that the plant for the production of pea flour isolate by extraction with a capacity of 200 kg/h will be launched by the end of 2021 in Skolkovo. By mid-July 2021, Uralchem is negotiating cooperation with partners, mainly with research institutes, he added.

Uralchem, in cooperation with the Skolkovo Foundation, decided to hold a competition: they are looking for startups that can create plant raw materials from yellow peas. The winners will receive investments to start development together with Uralchem Innovation.

Pea isolate is considered one of the most promising types of vegetable protein for artificial meat and sports nutrition. According to analysts at Markets and Markets, in 2020 the global market for this raw material amounted to 230,000 tons or $750 million. Experts predict that the market will grow at a CAGR of 13.5% over five years.

The direction for business is promising, peas are grown a lot in Russia, but so far very little is done in terms of deep processing, says Alexander Kiselev, director and co-founder of Welldone (produces cutlets and minced meat based on soy protein and vegetable oils). By mid-July 2021, only imported pea isolate can be bought in Russia, but the price of it bites, since pea protein costs twice as much as soybeans, he said.^[1]

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