FoodTech Experts

Interested in side stream valorization?

FoodTech Experts help manufacturers, ingredient producers, and investors unlock new revenue streams by converting food and agricultural byproducts into higher value ingredients and materials. Our freelance experts and advisors assess and explore equipment options, provide cutting-edge technology and regulatory expertise, and deliver market insights to maximize commercial potential. Our network includes process engineers, fermentation specialists, chemists, and market analysts who design practical techno-economic pathways that turn waste into profit while supporting circular economy objectives.

How can our experts support you in side stream valorization?

Picture of side stream from wheat production

Our experts deliver end-to-end guidance tailored to your feedstock, technology readiness, and market goals:

  • Feedstock assessment and mapping: evaluate volumes, composition, seasonal variation, and potential applications.

  • Technology scouting and process design: match feedstocks with optimal conversion technologies such as enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, extraction, or drying systems.

  • Techno-economic and sustainability modeling: build detailed CAPEX/OPEX models, assess carbon savings, and quantify environmental impact.

  • Regulatory and food safety strategy: ensure compliance with EFSA, FDA, and local regulations, develop safety dossiers, and map labeling requirements.

  • Market and commercialization pathways: identify target applications, size the addressable market, position products, and create partnership strategies.

Trusted by

Our FoodTech Experts in side stream valorization

Ian
Biotechnology development expert

Area of expertise
Aerobic production of yeast, fungi & bacteria, side stream valorization, process development and scale-up

Credentials
James
Bioprocess engineering expert

Area of expertise
R&D process development, full scale manufacturing and operational management

Credentials

and 2500+ other Foodtech Experts

Understanding side stream valorization in foodtech

Side stream valorization

Side stream valorization is the process of capturing and upgrading residual biomass from food production…

… such as fruit pomace, spent grain, whey, peels, and other co-products “ into high-value functional ingredients, food products, and bio-based materials.

Key trends in side stream valorization include:

  • High-value protein recovery from fermentation, dairy, and plant-based processes to meet the growing demand for alternative proteins.

  • Upcycling into functional food ingredients such as fibers, antioxidants, prebiotics, and polyphenols to boost nutritional value and clean-label positioning.

  • Bio-based material innovation using residual streams for bioplastics, edible coatings, and compostable packaging.

  • Nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals derived from byproducts, tapping into the wellness and beauty markets.

  • Integration with circular economy models where side streams are reused across industries (e.g., brewery spent grain in bakery applications).

  • Advanced processing technologies like enzymatic hydrolysis, membrane filtration, and supercritical CO2 extraction for higher yields and purity.

Success in side stream valorization depends on matching the right feedstock with the right conversion technology, validating the economic case, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, and developing strong go-to-market strategies.

Click here to learn more about side stream valorization

Ready to turn your byproducts into profit?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Side-stream valorization
Expert Selection & Quality Assurance
Engagement Process & Timelines
About FoodTech Experts
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Can you replace an expert mid-engagement if our needs change?
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Yes. If priorities shift, we’ll rematch quickly to keep momentum.
Can experts join internal stand-ups or work in our tools?
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Yes. Experts adapt to your collaboration stack (Slack/Teams/Drive, etc.) and can embed for a few hours per week.
What is the ROI for side stream valorization projects?
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Payback periods often range from 12 to 24 months depending on feedstock availability, technology choice, and market prices.
What industries benefit most from side stream valorization?
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Dairy, plant-based, brewing, juice processing, confectionery, alternative proteins, and specialty ingredients manufacturers see the strongest ROI.

Book an expert call to discuss with a valorization expert the potential for your business and industry.

What deliverables can we expect?
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Examples: rapid-response memos, risk registers, TEA models and assumptions books, process flow diagrams (PFDs), pilot plans and trial reports, supplier shortlists and RFPs, regulatory pathway assessments, claim substantiation reviews, commercialization hands-on support, and many more - message us to see if we can cover your desired deliverable.
Do you support both FoodTech and AgriTech adjacencies?
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Yes. Ingredients, enzymes, fermentation inputs, biomass valorization/side streams, sustainable packaging, and supply-chain optimization are all in scope among other topics including agricultural expertise.
What backgrounds do your experts come from?
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Former founders and CTOs, ex-corporate R&D/ops leaders (ingredient, CPG, bioprocess), process/packaging engineers, pilot-plant managers, QA/food safety leads, sensory & nutrition scientists, LCA/claims specialists, former regulators and notified-body reviewers, commercialization leaders, and ex-investors/tech-DD specialists, and many more.
Which regulatory regimes do your experts support?
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Our experts have experience in: US (FDA/USDA), EU (EFSA/Novel Foods), UK (FSA/OPSS), Singapore (SFA), Australia/NZ (FSANZ), Canada (CFIA), and others via country-specific frameworks. Our experts provide practical, experience-based guidance rather than legal advice.
Do you cover highly specialized areas like downstream processing, strain engineering, or extrusion?
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Yes. Our experts cover topics across wet/dry fractionation, cell line/strain engineering, media optimization, downstream (clarification, filtration, chromatography), extrusion & texturization, aseptic processing, shelf-life, sensory, and packaging - plus commercialization and scale-up.
What are some commercial examples of upcycled ingredients?
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Industry pioneers illustrate the breadth of possibilities: Hyfé converts fruit and vegetable waste into specialty fibers and bio-based chemicals; Revyve upcycles spent yeast into functional proteins that replace egg whites; and Duynie processes brewer’s grain, potato starch, and sugar side streams into ingredients for food, pet food, and industrial uses.
What are the main challenges and considerations in side stream valorization?
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Key hurdles include seasonality and compositional variability of by-products, short shelf life and high moisture content that require stabilization, and fragmented logistics that complicate collection and processing. Companies often need to invest in drying, fractionation, and supply-chain integration while navigating regulatory certification when shifting materials from feed or waste streams into human food.
What are the most promising opportunities in side stream valorization?
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Four categories currently lead the field: oilseed proteins (e.g., canola, sunflower), starch- and sugar-rich side streams for fermentation inputs, prebiotic fibers from plant residues, and fruit & vegetable by-products rich in polyphenols and specialty oils. Together these streams meet rising demand for sustainable proteins, biomanufacturing feedstocks, gut-health ingredients, and clean-label ingredients.
How is the length (and cost) of an engagement determined?
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You define the scope; we recommend whether hourly advisory, daily sprint packages or a multi-month retainer fits best. Rates scale accordingly and are agreed upfront - no surprises.
Are engagements remote or onsite?
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Most work is remote for speed and cost-efficiency, but onsite audits, pilot-plant visits or workshop days can be arranged worldwide.
Can I book both one-off consultations and long-term support?
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Yes. Schedule a 30-60 minute expert call or embed an expert part-time for months - same streamlined process either way.
How quickly can I connect with an expert?
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You can typically connect with an expert within 48 hours. Our streamlined process ensures that you get the expertise you need quickly and efficiently.
How do you select and vet your experts?
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We conduct interviews and credential checks to ensure each expert meets our high standards. For long-term engagements, we also facilitate one-on-one meetings between the expert and the client to ensure a perfect fit.
What industries or projects do your experts typically work on?
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Our experts have experience across various industries, from alternative proteins and sustainable agriculture to novel ingredients and large-scale bioprocessing. We support projects ranging from R&D and scale-up to commercialization and market entry.
How diverse are the topics covered by your network?
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Our specialists span hundreds of FoodTech niches e.g., fermentation, biomass valorization, food-safety QA, downstream processing, sensory science, market analytics, supply-chain optimization, and more - covering every step from upstream agricultural inputs to downstream consumer.
What types of expertise are available through your platform?
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Our experts cover a wide range of FoodTech specializations, including fermentation, precision fermentation, cell cultivation, mycelium technology, algae production, and more. We continuously expand our network as new innovations emerge in the FoodTech space.
What makes FoodTech Experts powered by Bright Green Partners unique?
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We specialize exclusively in FoodTech, offering access to a vetted network of over 2,500 experts. Every expert is carefully vetted and matched to your specific needs, ensuring top-tier expertise in niche areas like fermentation, cell cultivation, and more.

What our clients say

“The FTE (by BGP) team really took the time to understand our brief and quickly connected us with the perfect expert from their network. Working side by side, our expert has shared invaluable technical know-how, helping us unlock the true potential of our new barley proteins and sharpen our market positioning.”

Enda Ryan
CEO
ClonBio Foods

“BGP/FTE helped us gain the right insights, provided helpful recommendations, and executed everything swiftly.
This has helped us identify key risks, allowing for timely anticipation and mitigation.”

Pieter Meuwissen
Venture Developer
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)

“A strong combination of a professional consulting team and hands-on industry experts from their expert network – great collaboration which helped us move forward with confidence.”

Brecht D'hont
Head of Future Food Solutions
Solina

“Utilizing their deep industry experience and extensive technical network, the BGP/FTE team navigated our project toward the most valuable solutions, making the most of past insights and existing data. The team stands apart in its approach to driving progress with consistent advancements that offer clarity at every project stage.”

Amanda Bess
Science & Technology Analysis Manager
The Good Food Institute

“We asked BGP/FTE to prepare a technical due diligence assessment for a potential investment in the cultured meat space. We were very much impressed by the quality of the BGP team, the thorough way of working, the valuable and up-to-date insights they provided and the open way of communication.

The assessment has helped us in better understanding the challenges of the company in this quickly evolving industry and in structuring a transaction. In many ways BGP outperformed our expectations and we are looking forward to working with them again.”

Victor Meijer
Sr. Investment Manager
InvestNL

“BGP/FTE brought in uniquely deep insights through their professionally strong and reliable networks and a robust consulting framework, which is what we were looking for. Their work has helped us make better strategic and commercial decisions.
We look forward to continuing our partnership.”

Yasushi Noguchi
Senior Director
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America

“We worked together with the BGP/FTE team to develop our fermentation strategy and to make some very clear choices on where to play and how to win. The insights and support from the BGP team throughout this project were outstanding and they also brought in several experts to do a couple of technical deep-dives. Moreover they ensured that our teams were involved and on board with the proposed strategy. Together with BGP we developed a clear path forward in terms of our fermentation strategy and we are now fully in execution mode.”

Thijs Bosch
Managing Director
Cosun Protein

“The BGP/FTE team helped us assess the alt protein market and better understand the most promising technologies and ingredients. Beyond providing insights and strategy advisory, they also helped us to strengthen our network in this space.”

Steve Chantry Vice
President of International Growth
Kraft Heinz Company

“BGP/FTE has been a valuable resource in leveraging industry knowledge, market sizing, and cultivated relationships to help our team further evaluate the Alternative Proteins landscape. 
We appreciate their ability to envision and look beyond the current state of the industry, peering into the future state where we can all contribute to feeding 10 billion people differently.”

Mike Snodgrass
Managing Director
Global Alternative Proteins Griffith Foods

“BGP/FTE was amongst the first ones we called when we embarked on our alt protein journey. The team did an excellent job organising an engaging workshop series for our key decision makers. They provided a detailed perspective on the industry and helped us identify relevant internal capabilities and resources to leverage.”

Andrey Dribny
CEO of Culinary
IFFCO Group

“BGP/FTE provides us essential support to help drive our vision towards practical implementation. The depth of industry insights they bring in, combined with their consistently top-quality work, enables us to confidently navigate this fast-changing field.”

George Harrigan
Director of Food and Functional Ingredients
NEOM
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Not sure what you’re looking for?

Our team will help you throughout the whole process, let’s meet! Rather looking for a full strategy consulting team including the best global foodtech experts? Visit Bright Green Partners.

Ewa Granosik
Sr Manager