Finnish food company Raisio has launched a four-year research project worth EUR 4.5 million to develop functional fibre ingredients from grain processing side streams, after receiving EUR 1.8 million in funding from Business Finland. Raisio is contributing the remaining EUR 2.7 million.
“Fibre is becoming one of the most important areas in future food innovation”
The project, titled Valorisation of Grain Sidestreams for Functional Fibres, will focus on creating fibre ingredients with nutritional and technological applications while improving resource efficiency in grain processing. Work will be conducted at Raisio’s new pilot plant at its Raisionkaari industrial site in Finland, completed in 2026, which was itself backed by NextGenerationEU funding from Business Finland.
Finland backs bioeconomy push
The Business Finland grant was awarded as part of a 16-member Finnish consortium of companies and research organisations, with a combined project value of approximately EUR 12 million. The consortium, coordinated by Åbo Akademi University and including the University of Turku and Aalto University, operates within the international Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts (GCSB) network.
The project runs until the end of 2029 and falls under Raisio’s New Business operations. The company reported EUR 3.2 million in R&D expenditure in 2025, making the new funding a notable addition to its innovation budget.
Grain waste as a commercial ingredient opportunity
Raisio, which was founded in 1939 and is best known for its Benecol and Elovena brands, supplies grain-based food ingredients to industrial and catering customers alongside its consumer-facing business. The company exports to more than 40 markets worldwide.
The project also targets new commercial opportunities across sectors, including dairy-free products, sports nutrition, and food fortification, with pilot-scale validation of applications and markets included in the scope.
“Fibre is becoming one of the most important areas in future food innovation, and we see significant international potential in turning grain side streams into high-value ingredients. This supports both our sustainability targets and our ambition to build new business,” said Reetta Andolin, Chief Innovation Officer at Raisio.
