Exploitation of Biobased Co-Product Streams; Contributing to European Protein Demands Using Ethanol Plant Derived Co-Products

Abstract Europe is short of high-quality protein for animal feed, being only 29% self-sufficient in high-quality protein and relies heavily on imported proteins. But consumer demand is shifting towards more sustainable, home-grown sources of plant-based protein. This presents a significant challenge for the animal feed industry. Establishing a new plant protein crop for Europe would take a decade to create elite, geographically adapted varieties, adopt new agronomic practices, and establish appropriate supply chains. Approximately 9 million tons of European non-GM grains (maize, wheat, barley and rye) are converted annually by fermentation into bioethanol, a renewable fuel. The residue of the grain is currently used as medium-quality protein animal feed (distillers dried grains and solubles (DDGS; approx. 30% crude protein). Mechanically processing to separate the protein from the fibre fraction produces a Super-Pro (>50%crude protein concentration). The process produces commercially viable quantities of high-quality, non-GM grain protein, that can be used as an alternative to imported soybean products, in a time frame significantly ahead of establishing alternative agronomies or developing alternative novel proteins. Processing technology can transform low-quality co-product steams into high-quality alternative animal feed products and merits further investigation as a means of producing sustainable animal feed. Re-engineering grain bioethanol plants into biorefineries allows them to produce a super high protein (>50% crude protein) feed material concurrently with bioethanol, a renewable fuel. Information © The Authors 2024