Danish cooperatives join forces to produce proteins in a green biorefinery
Type of post: NEWS.
The three Danish cooperatives DLG, Danish Agro and DLF have joined forces to establish a green biorefinery for local production of grass protein with a environmental and climate-friendly profile. The goal is that grass protein in the long term can replace part of the soy that agriculture uses in animal feed today.
Press releases:
- “Danish cooperatives join forces on green protein”, 26/05/2020.
- “Grass protein could revolutionise the farming industry”, 04/02/2021.
Figure 1. Danish cooperatives join forces to produce proteins in a green biorefinery (taken from BioRefine Denmark website)
The three agricultural companies have established a joint venture called BioRefine Denmark, which will run the green biorefinery, where protein from clover grass and alfalfa will be extracted for organic feed, and eventually also protein that can be included in human food. DLG owns 50% of BioRefine Denmark, while Danish Agro and DLF each account for 25 percent of the shares. The project is supported by the Danish business development scheme Green Development and Demonstration Program (GUDP).
In the summer of 2020, BioRefine Denmark acquired the Danish dryer plant in Jutland, Nybrø Tørreri. The plant has experience with the production of pills for animal feed harvested from grass. Now, BioRefine Denmark is working intently to transform the previous dryer plant into Denmark’s first full-scale factory which will use new technologies to produce plant protein from grass. As the main consultant, NIRAS is currently working on designing and building the plant. It is expected to be ready on May 1, 2021.
Once the project is established, it will include the cultivation of clover grass and alfalfa of approximately 2,000 hectares, a central processing unit capable of producing concentrated protein, silage, grass juice and a residual product that can be used for biogas production. The goal is a total production of approximately 4,000 tons of protein and 25,000 tons of dry matter.
