31 mrt From Beer to Barley Power: How UpGrain Turns Brewer’s Spent Grain into a Nutritious Ingredient
Every year, millions of tons of byproducts from beer production go to waste — yet this so-called “waste” is packed with valuable nutrients like protein and fiber. Swiss startup UpGrain has found a way to unlock this hidden potential by upcycling spent grain into a nutritious, sustainable raw material that can enrich a wide range of foods.
Who doesn’t love a cold beer on a summer night? But did you know that brewing this single bottle leaves behind a surprising byproduct? Around 20% of the ingredients used in beer production become what’s traditionally seen as waste. Over 38 million tons of brewers’ spent grain (BSG) are produced every year. To put its scale into perspective: the amount of BSG generated each year could fill up more than 20’000 Olympic-sized swimming pools! That’s an enormous amount of untapped potential going to waste, and therefore the biggest side stream in the food industry.
A Second Life for BSG
The idea for UpGrain was born when CEO and founder Vincent Vida visited a brewery and witnessed firsthand the sheer volume of leftover grain after the brewing process. “I was on a brewery tour and realized that no one pays attention to what happens after the beer is brewed,” Vida recalls. “People only see the beer, not the valuable resources left behind.”
Determined to change this, the pioneers from UpGrain developed a unique and scalable upcycling process that transforms BSG into a high-quality ingredient for the food industry. By repurposing this byproduct, UpGrain not only prevents waste but also brings valuable nutrition back into the food cycle. The company’s barley-based ingredient is packed with protein, fiber, and essential minerals, making it a powerful addition to a wide range of food applications. “Our goal is to make upcycled ingredients the new standard in food production,” says William Pyndt Beiskjaer, the COO and co-founder of UpGrain. “We believe that sustainability and nutrition should go hand in hand.”
The barley products from UpGrain can be used in everything from bread and pasta to snacks and cereals, enhancing foods with a boost of protein and fiber while contributing to a more circular and sustainable food system. By turning waste into value, the startup is not only challenging traditional food production methods but also setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the industry.
The UpGrain raw material after the upcycling process
A pioneer example at the stores of Albert Heijn
Upcycling BSG alone won’t save the world — but it’s a crucial first step. «True impact comes when retailers and food producers take the next leap by integrating the ingredient into their products and making them accessible to consumers.», says Beiskjaer. A prime example of this can now be found on the shelves of Albert Heijn. The leading Dutch retailer, known for embracing forward-thinking solutions, has integrated two bread varieties made with UpGrain’s upcycled barley ingredients into its in-house brand. These breads have already been awarded as consumer favorites, proving not only the growing demand for sustainable food options but also their good taste and nutritional value. These breads contain up to 120 % more protein and 900 % more fiber than conventional products, offering a significant nutritional boost for consumers.
This collaboration marks a major milestone in the upcycling movement. By incorporating UpGrain’s nutritious and environmentally friendly ingredient, Albert Heijn is demonstrating how upcycled products can successfully enter the mainstream market. It also reinforces UpGrain’s pioneering role in transforming brewing byproducts into valuable food solutions. As the industry continues to evolve, this partnership sets a strong precedent for how retailers and innovative startups can work together to shape a more circular food system.
One product application of the UpGrain product – a High Protein Bread, which is sold in bakeries of Switzerland
UpGrain is on a mission to reshape the food industry by turning what was once considered waste into a valuable resource. From a bottle of beer to a sustainable ingredient — this is just the beginning.
Cheers to the power of circularity.