Protein Distillery has successfully developed a brewer’s yeast-based ingredient utilizing side streams sourced from other companies. This innovation opens up a wide range of possibilities for incorporating protein into various products. The company is part of a growing trend among alternative protein companies, prioritizing both health benefits and taste while maintaining price parity. Julia Schimanietz, the business development associate for Protein Distillery, highlighted that previous vegetarian or vegan alternatives were often unhealthy due to high food processing, artificial additives, and sodium content.
According to Schimanietz, it is not justifiable to serve customers food that may not harm animals but is detrimental to their own well-being. The market for vegan and vegetarian substitutes is expected to continue growing, but the key challenge lies in identifying the most promising technology. To distinguish themselves, Protein Distillery focuses on promoting health and functionality. Releasing vegan protein alone is insufficient to remain competitive; companies must strive to offer products that are genuinely beneficial to consumers.
Protein Distillery specializes in creating functional protein using brewer’s yeast. Through a series of steps, the company extracts only the clean protein, eliminating unwanted flavors, colors, and other undesirable components. This unique protein ingredient can be used not only in plant-based meat and dairy products but also as a substitute for eggs in bakery items. Schimanietz emphasized that this breakthrough holds great potential, particularly for baked goods that traditionally rely on eggs, which are challenging to replace.
What sets Protein Distillery apart from their competitors in the plant-based food market is their focus on functionality. While other companies also use brewer’s yeast, they primarily upcycle it into a nutritional product lacking the essential functional aspects. Protein Distillery, however, leverages their patented upcycling technology to deliver a protein ingredient that offers both nutritional value and functional benefits.
Protein Distillery’s approach safeguards against supply risks as they acquire brewer’s yeast through side-streams. This strategy not only ensures a consistent supply but also contributes to sustainability by repurposing a byproduct that breweries would otherwise discard or use as livestock feed. Moreover, the production process is highly scalable due to the global availability of beer production. As a result, Protein Distillery can autonomously carry out protein extraction in any geographic location where side streams are present.
Protein Distillery prides itself on offering clean label products, thereby assisting clients in reducing or eliminating additives in their alternative protein products. This attribute presents several advantages, such as a decrease in e-numbers on ingredient lists and an increase in end-product protein content and nutritional value. Schimanietz criticized the nutritional inadequacies of many existing vegan and vegetarian alternatives. She emphasized that being vegetarian or vegan does not automatically qualify a product for everyday consumption, as numerous additives are often indigestible and lack nutritional value. Instead, Protein Distillery’s protein showcases a high protein content and exceptional amino acid score, setting it apart from competitors.
