German hemp company Signature Products has received a commitment for ~€800,000 in funding from the state of Baden-Württemberg for the development of a regional hemp protein value chain.
The Pforzheim-based company and the University of Hohenheim joined in applying for state innovation funds that will be used to develop processes, technologies and recipes for the production of protein-rich tofu, pasta and other foods from regionally grown hemp. The university’s Institute for Crop Sciences provides research in ongoing cooperation with Signature Products.
Line them up
The company said in a press release that the initiative, which is supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection, is aligning farmers, processors, the restaurant sector and food retailers in developing the regional supply chain.
“The project contributes to meeting the strong demand for high-quality, protein-based, regionally produced food, to increasing the self-sufficiency of the population in Germany, and to creating sustainable jobs in the field of agriculture and food production,” Signature Products said in the release.
Managing Director Florian Pichlmaier said the initiative recognizes changing global dietary trends are bringing an increase in demand for plant-based foods in place of animal-based foods. Developing such regional chains can be a key to improving human as well as planetary health, Pichlmaier observed.
‘Right signal’
“With the commitment of the state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany, the state is sending the right signal to sustainable, plant-based and regional products and, above all, to the very versatile hemp plant,” Signature Products said.
Signature Products is a vertically integrated company that offers trade in hemp raw materials such as hemp seeds, hemp protein, extracts and the extraction of cannabinoids.
The company, which employs 20, has launched more than 40 private label products for German customers, and said it is expanding to Spain, France and other EU countries under a “Made-in-Germany” strategy.
