While almost 40% of food waste is generated during the manufacturing process, the Spanish start-up Heura is committed to combating waste by demonstrating that it is possible to promote the nutrients naturally present in raw materials and offer less processed plant products.
Barcelona-based Spanish plant-based meat startup implements more sustainable production approach by launching technology platform Good Rebel Tech. This brand-wide industrial strategy is designed to facilitate the extraction of nutrients originating in particular from by-products of the food industry and unprocessed plants.. With the development of Good Rebel Tech, Heura aims to globally redefine the contours of the plant-based meat sector, by demonstrating that it is possible to offer less transformed alternatives, closer to the original product, more economical in resources and energy and more respectful of ecosystems. The research carried out continuously since 2017 by the R team&D'Ivy (les Tech Rebels) made it possible to highlight new properties and new methods of transformation for the plant raw materials used in the development of products. Designed as a synthesis of scientific innovations developed by researchers, the platform makes it possible to take advantage of the intrinsic properties of plants to produce healthier food options, through simple, low-energy processes.
A transformation process without chemical treatment
“Instead of focusing on extracting and isolating proteins from legume seeds, we choose to explore solutions based on the exploitation of whole plants, in their natural structures” explains Isabel Fernández, director of the Tech Rebels research center at Heura. This approach makes it possible to enhance the micro-nutrients naturally present in raw materials., by only improving their bioavailability when necessary, rather than including them as additive ingredients. Using this method, the food processing process takes place without chemical treatment, to only engage in physical processes during product manufacturing. “We conduct cutting-edge research in collaboration with world-renowned scientific experts, in order to meet the challenges of transforming the plant industry and increasing its sustainability” declares Isabel Fernández.
Ten new products by 2023
The first Good Rebel Tech patents, which will be deposited during the year 2022, cover the production of plant products of superior nutritional quality. With already more than 30 patents in food science and technology to their credit, Heura Tech Rebels will continue their work to develop up to ten new products by the start of 2023. The brand recently raised nearly five million euros on the Crowdcube participatory platform to promote the growth of plants on a global scale.. Already present in Spain, In France (in more than a thousand points of sale) and in 18 other countries, the start-up plans to accelerate its development this year.