AB InBev to turn spent grains into plant-based protein

AB InBev would sell at "very low" prices or even give away the spent grains left over from the brewing process that could be converted to protein to help address increasing global food and sustainability challenges,

After three years working with AB InBev, the startup EverGrain has developed ingredients used in protein shakes and bars, bread, and barley milk.

With a new factory slated to open in St. Louis in March, AB InBev says expects EverGrain to haul in $20 million next year.

ZX Ventures is also hoping to leverage AB InBev's fermentation knowledge to scale up the production of alternative proteins through its company BioBrew.

Bernardo Novick, the global head of the AB InBev incubator ZX Ventures, emphasized that no one in the world possesses as much scaled fermentation knowledge as ABI. He added that the application of biotechnology to food and beverage is expected to be a massive opportunity in the next 10 to 20 years.

He noted that the market for alternative fermented protein alone is estimated to reach $22 billion by 2035.

But Novick admitted that BioBrew is still in exploratory spaces as to the kinds of products it could produce.

According to AB InBev CEO Michel Doukeris, the company pledged to combine its brewing infrastructure and expertise with biotech advancements to help address increasing global food and sustainability challenges.

He added that the company can leverage its core brewing and fermentation capabilities in new and exciting ways.

AB InBev expects $57 billion in sales for 2022.