**Veolia Water Technologies’ local experts are knowledgeable and experienced in food, biotechnology and regulatory environments. We offer you guidance, from the initial concept through to plant operation. We also have our own laboratories, offer feasibility studies and piloting, and we are a leader in evolving plants through data-driven insights.** [CONTACT US TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.com/en/contact-c1) ## Delivering sustainable proteins **Alternative proteins** align with the public’s desire for foods that are better for the planet. The sector has attracted significant investment and is growing rapidly. **Novel fermentation** and **cell-culture** are driving innovation in this sector. We are here to help you deliver on **production, sustainability and speed-to-market**. Protein-rich ingredients can be sourced from plants, insects, fungi or through biotechnology to replace conventional animal-based sources. Advances in **fermentation** and **cell-culture** are pushing the industry forward. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2476/files/styles/default/public/image/2023/04/230090_MKT_Alt_Proteins_Whitepaper%20%281%29.pdf%20%281%29.png.webp?itok=eYBJAshc) [DOWNLOAD OUR WHITE PAPER](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.com/en/download-white-paper-water-solutions-alternative-proteins-manufacturers) Circa 10,000 BCE **Traditional fermentation** uses microorganisms to process plant ingredients to produce products with unique flavor and nutritional profiles or textures. Since the 1970s **Biomass fermentation** leverages the fast growth and high protein content of microorganisms. The microbial biomass itself is the final product Since the 2000s **Precision fermentation** uses microbial hosts as “cell factories” to produce functional ingredients to improve the sensory and functional characteristics of plant-based products. **Cell-based meats\***: stem cells from an animal are grown in bioreactors. Building on decades of accumulated knowledge from the biotechnology industries. *\*A similar process can be used to produce milk, gelatin, egg and other components or end products.* ## Deliver on production and on speedmarket Production processes require large amounts of **purified water** and are highly sensitive to **microbial contamination**, which can impact the **quality and quantity of the final product**. **Purified water** is used to prepare the media feedstock, as make-up water for the bioreactors, as cooling water (sprayed within the bioreactors), for cleaning and rinsing of the bioreactors, and for purification of the final product. There is pressure for manufacturers to scale quickly, but legislative and technical constraints require manufacturing pilots. These must be **online quickly**, and once objectives are met, rapidly scaled. **Veolia’s [IonsoftⓇ](/en/technologies/ionsoft "Ionsoft®") softeners and [Sirion™](/en/technologies/sirion "SIRION™") reverse osmosis technologies produce high-purity water for a biomass fermentation facility in the USA. The plant produces up to 13,000 tonnes of mycelium protein per year.** **Since its conception 20 years ago, over 400 Orions have been sold worldwide. [Orions](/en/solutions/technologies/orion "Orion™") biotechnology credentials make it the ideal technology for cell-based meat manufacturers.** ### Orion™ **[Orion](/en/solutions/technologies/orion "Orion™")** is a skid-mounted, hot water sanitizable, purified water production system. It can produce up to 20 cubic meters per hour (m3/hr) of **endotoxin free water for critical utilities**. It is fully compliant with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations and the Good Automated Manufacturing Practice (GAMP). **Built with sustainability in mind**, it can significantly reduce overall water and energy consumption. ### Sensa™ [**Sensa**](/en/technologies/sensa "SENSA™") is a skid-mounted, chemically-sanitizable, double-pass **[reverse osmosis (RO)](/en/technologies/reverse-osmosis "Reverse Osmosis")** system that can produce up to 10 m3/hr of **endotoxin free water**. A built in recovery RO unit minimizes costly water losses and contributes to **achieving sustainability objectives**. ### Nurion™ and Sirion™ **[Nurion](Nurion™) and [Sirion](/en/technologies/sirion "SIRION™")** are reverse osmosis systems that can be configured with potable water grade materials **for food processing facilities**. Nurion has a hygienic-design permeate. Both systems **reduce the risk of microbial contamination** for less sensitive manufacturing processes. ### Aquaservice™ [**Aquaservice**](/en/aquaservice "Aquaservice™") ensures that **compliance is maintained, risks are controlled, production demands are met, and processes are continually optimized**. **[Hubgrade](/en/hubgrade-digital-solutions "Hubgrade digital solutions")** digital solutions allow Veolia’s experts to provide data-driven operational assistance. ## Clients that already work with Veolia ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2476/files/styles/show_case_card/public/image/2023/04/Vue%203D%20station%20Circulargaz%20%283%29.png.webp?itok=iA33P_D_) FRANCE Sustainable production of canola (rapeseed) proteins With our water treatment solutions, Olatein, a joint venture of Royal DSM and Avril, succeeded in treating high loaded wastewater with stringent discharge limits into the sea. Biothane’s — a subsidiary of Veolia Water Technologies — created a design to secure optimal performance in biogas and water quality production. Thanks to our solutions the plant succeeded in reducing its environmental impact (odors, noise, footprint, etc) and improving resource recovery. [Learn more](/en/node/6281) ## Deliver on sustainability Production processes require significant energy and water resources. **Renewable energy, [water reuse](/en/applications/reuse "Water reuse") and resource recovery** are essential for the industry to deliver on the **sustainability promises of alternative protein products.** [**Wastewaters**](/en/applications/industrial-wastewater-treatment "Industrial wastewater treatment") **can be challenging** with high organic loads and variabilities in flow and composition due to batch production techniques. Veolia designed and built a wastewater treatment plant for an alternative proteins manufacturer in France. It employs [**Biothane**](https://www.biothanesolutions.com/) technologies to convert 1500 m3/day of wastewater into biomethane for the grid. This equates to around 11 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. From yeast and enzyme manufacturers, via wine and beer producers, to manufacturers of functional ingredients; **[Biothane](https://www.biothanesolutions.com/) has treated wastewater from fermentation industries for over 40 years and has hundreds of references**. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2476/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/image/2023/05/Mycel_1.jpg.webp?itok=6IN_HZOq) ### Renewable energy BiothaneⓇ — a subsidiary of Veolia Water Technologies — anaerobic systems allow for the generation of **biogas from wastewaters**, which may be used as an **alternative source of energy** for the production facility or upgraded to biomethane for injection into the grid; resulting in lower energy costs, lower carbon footprint, greater self-sufficiency and compliant discharge. ### Wastewater Our experts draw upon a portfolio of in-house technologies to design the most appropriate solutions for your requirements, including **[Idraflot™](/en/products/idraflot "IDRAFLOT®")** DAF (dissolved air flotation) for FOG (fat, oil and grease), Biothane for high organic loads, **[AnoxKaldnes™ MBBR](/en/solutions/technologies/anoxkaldnes-mbbr "AnoxKaldnes MBBR")** (Moving bed biofilm reactor) for challenging pollutants, membrane bioreactor (MBR) for direct discharge or reuse, **[Hydrotech™ Discfilter]()** for polishing, and [Evaled™](/en/technologies/evaled-archived "EVALED®") evaporators for volume reduction or recovery. ### Reuse and resource recovery Veolia’s experience in regulated industries with **recovering resources from waste streams and [upgrading wastewaters for reuse](/en/applications/reuse "Water reuse")** makes it a natural choice of partner for long-term sustainable development. Key technologies include MBR, ultrafiltration, **[CaptuRO™](/en/latest-news/capturo-resilient-high-recovery-reverse-osmosis "CaptuRO™ Resilient high recovery reverse osmosis")**, and **[Evaled™](/en/technologies/evaled-archived "EVALED®")** evaporators. ### Standardized or packaged plants Our technologies are available as standardized or packaged plants. These **proven designs** are **quick to manufacture**, to ensure quality control, install and commission. Their interoperability allows for rapid expansion and **adaptation as manufacturing grows and evolves.** Systems are available as capital purchase, **rental or water-as-a-service**. The latter are **highly attractive** as they free-up capital and provide **flexibility**. Alternative protein manufacturers need to move quickly, take zero risks, respect the environment and be cost competitive. Delivering on all of these is very difficult and requires a network of partners, each specializing in their own domain. Veolia Water Technologies is the industry's partner for water treatment, wastewater compliance and alternative energy through biogas. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2476/files/styles/default/public/image/2023/03/SUMMERS%20Shaun.jpg.webp?itok=CY-SqjtM) #### Shaun Summers Industrial Marketing Manager - Food and Beverage Veolia Water Technologies **Contact Shaun Summers on his [LinkedIn Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoocork/?originalSubdomain=fr)** ### Would you like more information about our solutions? [CONTACT AN EXPERT](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.com/en/contact-c1) ## Resources [Download our brochure: water solutions for alternative protein manufacturers](https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.com/en/download-our-brochure-water-solutions-alternative-protein-manufacturers) ## FAQ about alternative proteins ### What is alternative protein? **Alternative proteins** may be sourced from plants, insects, fungi, or through **cell-culture** to replace conventional animal-based sources. ### What are the process water treatments required for alternative protein manufacturers? **Purified water** is used to prepare the media to be used as feedstock, as make-up water for the bioreactors, as cooling water, for cleaning and rinsing the bioreactors, and for purification of the final product. Microbial contamination of this water at any stage can have serious implications. ### What are the wastewater requirements for alternative protein manufacturers? Wastewater from alternative protein production typically has high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Anaerobic treatment systems are well adapted for such wastewaters. They can be used to both treat the wastewater and generate valuable biogas, which can then be used as an alternative source of energy for the production facility. This results in lower energy costs, a smaller carbon footprint and greater self-sufficiency.