Plant protein manufacturer BVeg Foods has purchased high moisture extrusion (HME) technology from Swiss technology group Bühler, aiming to improve its in-house product development capabilities and processing for plant-based proteins. 

The Swiss company claims its HME technology can replicate textures indistinguishable from conventional whole muscle meat such as chicken, mutton, pork, fish, etc. It enables the BVeg team to develop plant-based meat products that meet the required sensory parameters such as appearance, texture, taste, aroma, and mouthfeel. The output of the extruder is reportedly equivalent to 3,000 chicken breasts per hour. 

India, being an agrarian economy with bio-diverse indigenous crops, has the qualities necessary to be a significant part of the global smart protein ecosystem, Bühler says. 

BVeg Foods was established in 2019 with the objective to act as an enabler for the entire plant-based ecosystem. Its dedicated plant-based meat facility in India has a capacity of 4000MT per year. The facility is capable of manufacturing formed products, centre filled products, whole muscle solutions, hand folded as well as hot kitchen products as per their clients preferences. 

BVeg Foods Co-Founder and COO Prateek Ghai said: "In the rapidly transforming plant-based food ecosystem, innovation is key. We believe that only by continuously innovating ourselves and delivering a diversified range of products that are customised to consumer needs can we satisfy their palates and achieve our objective of replacing conventional meat across the globe without compromising on taste or nutrition. Its this approach we believe in here, at BVeg Foods, to build a better and more sustainable future." 

Christoph Vogel, Head of Market Segment Proteins & Ingredients of Bühler Group, said: “We are very pleased to support BVeg on their journey and provide a platform for customers to accelerate their product innovations with the best processing equipment and knowledge from Bühler.” 

Ajith Dharan, Head of Sales for the Consumer Foods Business of Bühler Group in India, added: “India has a huge potential to become the protein powerhouse in the region. As Bühler, we master the complete protein processing chain from farm to fork. The addition of high moisture extrusion technology that mimics meat the best with plant-based proteins is the next important step to create more value out of the pulses and follows the clear global trend towards a more plant-based diet.”