Innovative Bio-Refinery Concept for Value-Added Processing of Local Crops in the Kouvola Region

This project develops an innovative whole crop biorefinery concept for sustainable processing of locally grown and underutilized crops into high-value food ingredients such as proteins, oils, and fibers. Advanced technologies including cold pressing, supercritical CO₂ extraction, fermentation, and spray drying are combined with techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment to enable cost-effective, environmentally responsible food production and strengthen the regional bioeconomy.

Goals

• Develop a novel, cost-efficient whole crop bio-refinery concept for valorizing locally grown and underutilized crops into high-value food ingredients.
• Optimize innovative processing technologies such as cold pressing, supercritical CO₂ extraction, fermentation, and spray drying.
• Maximize the recovery and quality of plant proteins, oils, and dietary fibers.
• Ensure sustainability and economic viability through techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA).
• Strengthen regional food production, innovation capacity, and circular bioeconomy in the Kouvola and Kymenlaakso region.