Why Grass Could Soon Replace Soy as a Major Protein Source
Venlo, Tuesday, 4 August 2026.
Dutch startup Grassa won the Transition Award 2026 for its biorefinery process, which extracts highly nutritious proteins from grass to replace unsustainable soy imports and eventually feed humans.
An Agritech and Foodtech Breakthrough
This innovation represents a major milestone at the intersection of agritech and foodtech, bridging the gap between agricultural waste reduction and advanced food science [GPT]. Led by Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Suzanne van den Eshof, the Dutch startup Grassa is pioneering this circular approach from its demonstration site in Kootwijkerbroek, located near Barneveld in the Netherlands [1]. By processing grass locally, the company is turning one of the region’s most abundant resources into a highly scalable protein alternative, earning them the ‘Transition Award 2026’ in the Food category [1].
The Mechanics of Grass Biorefining
The core technology behind Grassa’s biorefinery was originally developed in 2014 by Professor Johan Sanders of Wageningen University [1]. The mechanical process works by taking freshly mown grass—which is traditionally fermented and stored as silage for winter cattle feed—and processing it through a specialized grass press [1]. This press physically separates the grass fibers from the nutrient-rich grass juice [1]. The extracted juice contains valuable proteins and prebiotic sugars, while the remaining dry fibers are returned directly to local dairy farmers to be used as high-quality roughage [1].
Environmental and Agricultural Benefits
This biorefinery model delivers substantial environmental benefits, directly addressing critical agricultural challenges in the Netherlands. By extracting and optimizing the nutrients in grass, the technology increases the overall food yield of grass fields by a factor of 1.5 to 2.5 [1]. Furthermore, feeding the processed, fiber-rich roughage back to cows reduces their nitrogen and phosphate emissions without negatively impacting their health or milk production [1]. Grassa is currently demonstrating this circular system in Kootwijkerbroek, where its press processes approximately 30 tons of grass per day in collaboration with local dairy farmers [1].
From Animal Feed to Human Consumption
In the short term, Grassa is targeting the animal nutrition market, aiming to supply protein ingredients for pigs, chickens, and pets as a direct, sustainable replacement for imported soy [1]. However, the company’s ultimate vision is to unlock grass protein for human diets. Grass protein boasts a superior amino acid profile compared to established plant-based alternatives like peas and soy [1][2]. Grassa has already successfully tested its protein concentrate in consumer products such as protein bars and pita bread [1][2].
Navigating the Road to Commercial Scale
Despite its immense potential, Grassa faces several regulatory and operational hurdles before grass-derived protein products hit supermarket shelves. Securing approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for human consumption is a rigorous process that is expected to take several years [1][2]. Additionally, as the company seeks to scale up its operations, it must navigate broader systemic challenges, including securing sufficient financing and overcoming local electricity grid congestion [2].