Uralchem Innovation, a subsidiary of Uralchem, launched a pilot plant making pea isolate, which is a refined natural vegetable protein extracted from yellow peas. The isolate has various applications in the food industry.

The official ceremony to launch the pilot plant was held at the Skolkovo centre of innovations and was attended by a Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Mikhail Ivanov. The ceremony was followed by a meeting about the development of the food ingredient sector. The meeting’s participants representing commercial, scientific and financial organisations discussed the key supply chains, implementation of various projects and support provided by relevant ministries and departments.

Mikhail Ivanov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia:

I am sure that the coming years will see the development of next-generation food industries. Creation of ingredients and chemicals used in the food making process is an important direction in the development of small and medium-sized chemical production in Russia. Since 2019, we have allocated over half a billion roubles for new developments in this sector. During the next two years, we will be supporting import-substituting facilities, which will produce citric acid, ascorbic acid, magnesium chloride and several other ingredients.

Dmitry Konyaev, Uralchem CEO:

Uralchem is interested in implementing high-tech projects not only in the mineral fertiliser and chemical industries, but also in other promising sectors. Our pilot plant is the only facility of such kind in the Russian market. Our proprietary pea processing technology will help the national food industry to reduce its dependency on imported ingredients.

About Uralchem Innovation

Uralchem Innovation focuses on the selection, testing and implementation of high-tech solutions employing modern and emerging technologies. The entity’s assets are located at the Skolkovo centre of innovations and include an agricultural laboratory, a chemical laboratory, and a pilot plant processing vegetable proteins.

About the project

Russia imports pea protein despite being one of the world’s largest pea producers. At the moment, there are no facilities in Russia capable of high-level processing of this agricultural crop, although food products made of vegetable protein often have more health benefits than traditional foodstuffs. The pea isolate made by Uralchem Innovation will be used in meat and dairy alternatives, sports and dietary nutrition, gluten-free and protein-rich breads, pastries and other products.