Colruyt invest 5.7 million euros is Protealis

Protealis is a Belgian start-up that develops superior seeds and seed technologies for legume crops that are adapted to our local environment. The company combines innovation in breeding and nitrogen fixation to create new opportunities for European farmers to help overcome Europe’s protein deficit.

The demand by food and feed companies for non-GMO, locally and sustainably grown protein crops continues to rise.

In 2020 about 150 tons of soybeans were harvested on 70 hectares in Belgium, which is very little. The start-up Protealis wants to make soy cultivation profitable in Belgium started in April 2021 with 6 million euros and Colruyt is now adding just as much. Other shareholders of Protealis are Agri Investment Fund (AIF), Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV), Estari Group, Globachem Group, Gemma Frisius Fund and VIB. Soy cultivation mainly takes place in the US and South America. in regions with warm climates. Protealis develops new soybean varieties that grow well in regions between 48 and 52 degrees latitude. These varieties will be more resistant to the cold, mature in a short season and yield many beans with a high protein content.