BioWanze: from wheat to burger
BioWanze was founded in 2009 in Wanze (Province of Liège) and produces 'green' fuel and cattle feed from Belgian cereals and now also vegetable proteins for human consumption.
The company is the largest bioethanol production site in Belgium. This car fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Given the performance of the manufacturing process used, this fuel avoids 70% of gas emissions when compared to fossil fuels.
BioWanze has partnered with BENEO, a world leader in the production of chicory-based food ingredients which also processes sugar beet, rice and wheat for both human and animal consumption. Through this expertise, BioWanze has developed a Gluten recipe that results from the production of bioethanol. This Gluten, comprised of vegetable proteins, is used to prepare of 'fake' burgers, sausages and other meat substitutes. The protein is extracted at the very beginning of the bioethanol manufacturing process. One day's production can be used to make 1 million burgers based on these protein flakes.
The site is an example of a circular operation because in addition to bioethanol and gluten extracted from the wheat, the surplus fibre is used as a nutrient for the soil. So there is no waste.
The factory eventually plans to produce detergent for environmentally friendly soap and alcohol-free shaving foam. And to think that it all started with the production of green energy by fermenting wheat.