Finnish food enterprise Raisio is allocating €4.5 million towards a four-year research initiative aimed at transforming grain processing by-products into high-value fiber ingredients for the food sector.
This initiative has garnered €1.8 million in support from Business Finland, with Raisio further investing €2.7 million. This effort is part of a broader Finnish bioeconomy project that includes 16 companies and research institutions, boasting a collective investment of approximately €12 million.
Scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2029, the program will concentrate on creating innovative fiber ingredients and production technologies derived from grain-based by-products. The objective is to enhance resource efficiency in grain processing while producing ingredients that provide nutritional and functional advantages for food producers.
A prominent feature of the project will involve large-scale commercial testing of side-stream processing technologies at Raisio’s pilot facility, which is set to be finished in 2026 at the Raisionkaari industrial site. The company will also evaluate potential applications and market prospects for the newly developed ingredients.
This initiative responds to the growing consumer demand for fiber-rich food products, spurred by rising interest in digestive health, weight control, and sustainable food options.
“Fibre is becoming one of the most important areas in future food innovation, and we see significant international potential in turning grain side streams into high-value ingredients. This supports both our sustainability targets and our ambition to build new business,” remarks Reetta Andolin, Chief Innovation Officer at Raisio.
This investment signifies a substantial growth in Raisio’s innovation efforts. In 2025, the company reported research and development expenditures of €3.2 million, making this new initiative one of its most significant recent commitments to innovation.
The consortium managing the overall bioeconomy program is led by Åbo Akademi University, involving the University of Turku, Aalto University, and 13 industry partners. These projects are associated with the Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts, which unites academic and industrial entities from Europe, North America, and Asia to foster the development of renewable bio-based products.
Raisio stated that this collaboration will enhance its global innovation partnerships and aid its long-term goal to strengthen its foothold in the European fiber ingredients market. Moreover, the project is anticipated to bolster the growth of the company’s New Business operations in the upcoming years.
