The demand for regional, protein-rich, and sustainably produced foods is growing continuously. This is precisely where the new PULSE qualification project comes in: The ecoplus Food Cluster Lower Austria, together with scientific partners, supports companies in developing innovative food products based on pulses and grains.

Regional raw materials as an engine of innovation

The project, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), focuses on domestic raw materials such as soy, chickpeas, and various grains. Participating companies receive scientifically sound expertise on nutritional, technological, and economic issues. The goal is to develop marketable, high-value-added food products.

Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner sees this as an important opportunity for Lower Austria. High-quality regional food products are becoming increasingly important to consumers. At the same time, the project could strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses and create new added value in the region.
Science and business are working together

PULSE is being professionally supported by the Institute of Food Technology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna and the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Vienna. Together with the participating companies, the aim is to develop new product ideas and pool diverse expertise along the entire value chain. In addition, a field day is planned for September, providing practical insights into the journey of raw materials from cultivation to processing.

Focus on protein-rich ingredients

Project partners includeSoy Austria . The company produces natural, non-GMO soy-based ingredients for the international food industry. Managing Director Georg Bamberger emphasizes that the high protein quality of the soybeans is preserved through particularly gentle processing, thus enabling the production of high-quality food products.

Innovations for the food industry

From the perspective of the ecoplus Food Cluster, the project also demonstrates the importance of collaborations between companies and research institutions for the further development of the food industry. Managing Director Helmut Miernicki and Authorized Representative Bernhard Ebner see initiatives like PULSE as a crucial building block for bringing innovations into practice more quickly and strengthening the long-term competitiveness of the domestic food industry. The project is part of the Lower Austrian innovation ecosystem, which, together with the technology parks, is co-financed by the European Union.