The start-up ProSeed, backed and supported by CCF SA, CimArk and The Ark Foundation – partners of Economic Promotion Valais – has inaugurated its first pilot unit, located in its premises in Martigny. This event marks a major step forward in the sustainable processing of agri-food by-products. The technology transforms by-products such as brewer’s grains and soy okara into dry ingredients that can be used in the food industry.
The unit developed by ProSeed uses an innovative drying technology, designed for easy integration into existing industrial facilities. lt also extends the lite of by-products from 4 hours to over 18 months, using twice as little energy as conventional drying methods. Today, producers pay to dispose of their by-products, which they consider to be waste. With ProSeed’s technology, they can sell these by-products to ingredient manufacturers as sustainable raw materials, enriched with protein and fiber, at stable prices. The startup developed at HES-SO has integrated its technology into a shipping container, making the concept easily installable and replicable in different industries around the world.
Official launch of the ProSeed pilot unit
The inauguration event was attended by around a hundred people, including major players in the Swiss agri-food industry, entrepreneurs and members of the Swiss startup ecosystem, in the presence of Christophe Darbellay, Head of the Department of the Economy and Education of Valais.
This event enabled ProSeed to unveil the first version of its technology, currently capable of recovering 1300 tonnes of wet by-products per year in Martigny. lt marks an important transition for ProSeed, from the laboratory phase to industrial pilot scale.
The event also highlighted ProSeed’s ability to forge strategic and commercial partnerships with key industry players, such as Groupe Minoteries SA (GMSA), Switzerland’s second-largest flour mill. The collaboration with GMSA has resulted in the launch of an innovative baguette flour blend, which will be available nationwide in Swiss bakeries from April 2025. ProSeed is also preparing to install its first unit directly on a brewery site by the end of 2025. Discussions are underway with other major players in Europe.
At the inauguration, a round table has brought together experts and players from the food industry to discuss the potential of the ProSeed solution and the importance of a dynamic ecosystem for the implementation of by-product valorization solutions. The event has highlighted the need for cross-sector collaboration to optimize environmental and economic impacts.
"From vision to reality, ProSeed converts by-products into nutritious, sustainable ingredients, enriching our food while supporting the local economy."
Opportunities and call for collaboration
The deployment potential of the ProSeed solution offers great commercial opportunities in various sectors of the food industry, thanks toits replicability in the form of a containerized unit. ProSeed has launched an initiative, the “ProSeed Upcycling Link Program”, inviting industry players to join the initiative to transform by products into valuable resources, thus promoting a circular and sustainable economy.
Source : press release