Grass is Europe’s most cultivated crop, covering one-third of its agricultural land and producing more protein per hectare than any other crop. Yet its potential remains largely untapped. Traditionally, grass has been used exclusively as feed for ruminants like cows, which, through their unique digestive systems, unlock its proteins. However, this process is inefficient: cows convert only 25% of grass protein into milk or meat, leaving 75% as nitrogen waste in manure and urine. This inefficiency contributes significantly to Europe’s nitrogen surplus and environmental challenges.

Dutch company Grassa has developed an innovative solution that transforms grass into a high-value protein source for humans and monogastric animals like pigs and chickens. Their groundbreaking process addresses both the inefficiencies of traditional systems and the urgent need for sustainable food production.

The Innovation: Turning Grass into a Sustainable Protein Source

Grassa’s refinement process uses mechanical pressing to extract grass protein concentrate from fresh grass. The resulting protein has a 70% protein content, comparable to soy, but offers significant advantages: it is neutral in taste, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, and suitable for human consumption and feed for pigs, chickens, and pets. This makes it an ideal sustainable alternative to soy protein, which is often linked to deforestation and long supply chains.

Even after extracting 50% of the protein, the remaining pressed grass retains its nutritional value as a superior feed for ruminants. Farmers using this refined silage experience no reduction in milk production, despite the protein removal. This dual-use approach maximizes the utility of grass, enhancing both its efficiency and sustainability.

Environmental and Economic Benefits for Farmers

Grassa’s innovation improves nitrogen utilization on grasslands by preventing surplus nitrogen from entering the environment. By extracting protein for direct use, the nitrogen cycle becomes more balanced, reducing emissions from manure and urine. For farmers, this means:

• Increased productivity: Up to 2.5 times more food per hectare can be produced by refining grass.
• Reduced nitrogen waste: Processing one hectare of grass reduces nitrogen equivalent to 30–40 m³ of manure.
• Lower carbon footprint: The system significantly reduces the CO₂ emissions associated with dairy and livestock production.

These benefits align environmental sustainability with economic profitability, enabling farmers to adapt to stricter regulations without sacrificing productivity.

A Scalable Solution for Europe’s Protein Challenges

Grass refining offers transformative potential for Europe. By processing just 20% of Dutch grasslands, the country could eliminate its manure surplus. Scaling up to 60% would produce enough grass protein to replace all soy imports, reducing dependency on unsustainable supply chains and improving food security. This approach not only addresses the nitrogen and manure issues at their source but also supports farmers with a more resilient and sustainable business model.

Conclusion: Grass Protein as the Future of Sustainable Food

Grassa’s innovation demonstrates the untapped value of grass as a protein source. By refining grass into high-quality protein, they provide a solution that tackles nitrogen emissions, reduces reliance on soy, and enhances the sustainability of Europe’s food systems. This pioneering approach transforms grass from a resource for ruminants into a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, offering a win-win for farmers, the environment, and the future of food.