BioWanze, the largest bioethanol producer in Belgium, with 125 employees, opened its new textured wheat protein production unit on 1 March, in the presence of the Mayor of Wanze, Christophe Lacroix, the Walloon Minister for Agriculture, René Collin, and the Minister for the Economy, Pierre-Yves Jeholet.

The company Beneo, also a subsidiary of the Germany company Südzucker, decided to invest 4.3 million euros in this new production unit as part of a more ecological vision. The investment comes in the context of a drop in meat consumption and an increase in the production of meat substitutes. "Market figures confirm that this is the right path ; wheat proteins are the plant proteins most frequently used in new meat substitute launches in 2018," confirmed Christoph Boettger, member of the Beneo Management Board.

They have a neutral taste, are easy-to-flavour and easy-to-colour; once rehydrated, the textured wheat proteins become a fibrous, spongy mixture, similar to minced meat, and contain at least 65% protein. 

Minister Collin stressed that this investment will provide added value to Belgian raw materials such as wheat and beetroot. What's more, Christophe Lacroix welcomed the "development, achieved through an ambitious dialogue between the municipality, residents and investors."

Source : RTBF