Upgrain wins Swiss Sustainability Impact Award

(CONNECT) Upgrain, a start-up based in Appenzell in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, has been named as the winner of the Swiss Sustainability Impact Award at this year’s Start Summit in St.Gallen. As detailed in a press release, the food preparation company was recognized, among other aspects, for its innovative technology that refines spent brewing grains.

In this context, a facility put into operation together with Brauerei Locher, a brewery also based in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, processes around 25,000 tons of spent brewing grains, otherwise known as draff, into proteins, fiber, and other valuable materials for the food industry. These are used in baked goods as well as in the production of meat substitute products, protein-rich snacks and beverages. 

Jointly developed nutritional products by Upgrain and Brauerei Locher are sold under the brewbee brand. These are also used to feed the Swiss Army in the form of meat substitutes that satisfy the Army’s requirements in terms of nutrition and a feeling of fullness.

Moreover, the new technology contributes to cutting CO2 emissions and the consumption of water. As the press release states, it helps Brauerei Locher to save more than 5,500 tons of CO2 per year.

“This award is a huge honor for our team and represents confirmation of our work in the area of sustainable food production”, comments Vincent Vida, CEO of Upgrain, in the press release. He adds: “We are delighted with this recognition and see it as an incentive to further develop our technology and to expand internationally.”

Aurèle Meyer, Managing Director of Brauerei Locher, emphasizes the fact that “Upgrain has shown that it has created a scalable innovation in food upcycling with its development, which makes versatile use of our brewery’s side streams”. ce/ww