Protein transition

Focus on plant-based proteins

As the world's population grows, so does the number of mouths we need to feed together. This means, for example, that more starch, sugars, dietary fibre and proteins will be needed. In addition to increase in the size of the population, we’re also seeing an increase in the importance of a balanced diet. A diet that’s good for people and the planet. This is something Cosun wants to contribute to.

Protein transition

Currently, about 60% of protein intake in the Netherlands comes from animal sources, compared to 40% from plant sources. Shifting this balance to 40% animal and 60% plant-based is not only healthy, it’s also more sustainable. This is why we’re cooperating with a range of other organisations to encourage a shift in this protein balance: the so-called protein transition.

In practice

We want to apply our knowledge of plant food innovation to accelerate the protein transition. The Fascinating project is just one example of how we’re carrying out research into discovering which new protein crops are the most promising and the most profitable to become a part of our diet. Applications include protein from field beans or beet leaf in vegan strawberry ice cream and

In addition to helping realise the protein transition, Cosun’s plant-based solutions are also contributing to our climate, circularity and healthier lifestyle.

Read how

Strawberry ice cream made from broad beans
Cosun Protein, a new emerging business unit at Cosun, produces plant-based proteins that can be used in food products and beverages. In doing so, the company is helping to accelerate the protein transition, a shift in the consumption of animal proteins to plant-based alternatives.
Strawberry ice cream made from broad beans
Protein from field beans
In recent decades, the world's population has started to eat more and more animal proteins, such as meat, fish, milk and eggs. In order to continue feeding the growing world population and to create a more sustainable diet in the future, a protein transition is necessary: less consumption of animal proteins and a shift to vegetable proteins. The establishment of Cosun Protein earlier this year is an important step in this direction.
Protein from field beans
Agriculture of the future
Field beans as the most promising protein crop, a new protein factory, experiments with green manure, and working together to make agriculture circular. The four great agricultural cooperatives of the North; Cosun, Agrifirm, Avebe and FrieslandCampina have been working hard in the past year to make agriculture more sustainable and food better.
Agriculture of the future
Protein from sugar beet leaf
A process to extract protein from sugar beet leaf - This is one of the first results from the Green Protein Excellence Center (GPEC), which started in 2020. Petra Koenders is General Manager of GPEC, a consortium involving Cosun and partners BioscienZ, The Protein Brewery, HAS University of Applied Sciences, and Rabobank. Petra explains why this hub was established and what GPEC can deliver in both social and commercial terms.
Protein from sugar beet leaf