Crespel & Deiters Puts Finnish Dry Extrusion Technology to the Test at Its Dutch Facility

German ingredient manufacturer Crespel & Deiters is collaborating with Finnish food-tech company Happy Plant Protein to run dry extrusion technology at commercial scale at its Helmond site in the Netherlands. This marks the first time the process has been used in industrial production, with a focus on pea and faba bean at the Helmond site. The dry extrusion process offers a one-step alternative to air classification, separating flour into protein and starch fractions while enhancing texture and hydration behavior without the need for added chemicals or water-intensive processing.

Crespel & Deiters' expertise in food extrusion, dating back to 1998, allows for the scaling of Happy Plant Protein's technology to produce functional TVP from legumes in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner. The partnership represents a shift towards plant-based ingredient solutions in Europe, as major manufacturers seek more efficient ways to bring plant proteins to market. Happy Plant Protein's technology, originally developed at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, has been recognized and shortlisted at industry events, highlighting the demand for innovative plant-based ingredient solutions.