Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Background – The climate impact of the agricultural sector calls for sustainable transitions in the food industry. One solution to a more environmentally friendly sector, is the transition towards plant-based diets. Legumes play an important role in the sustainability transitions towards more plant-based protein.
Purpose – The study aims to explore and define the system functions for plant-based protein extraction from legumes in Sweden and to analyse the current limiting functions of the system. To investigate the above aim, this research intends to adres the following two research questions:
1) What actors and system functions shape the plant-based protein extraction industry out of legumes look like in Sweden from a system perspective?
2) What functions are limiting the establishment of protein extraction facilities in Sweden?
Method – The methodology used is a qualitative case study of the Swedish plant-based protein extraction industry. The data was collected through interviews and literature review. The data collected was analysed according to the Technical Innovation System (TIS) framework.
Findings – The current Swedish system of protein extraction is lacking the ability to provide a wide variety of high-quality extracted protein due to lack of technology, infrastructure and actors for establishing a well-developed Swedish plant-based protein extraction industry. The main limitations found for the protein extraction industry are the high economic investment needed to establish extraction facilities. This together with high uncertainties for new actors to enter the field and due to limited knowledge of providing high-quality and tasty protein to the industry.
Implications – The findings of this study provide a guideline to developers and policymakers which aim to encourage the development of the Swedish plant-based food industry. And will allow the emerging protein extraction industry to get more support in the areas which are currently the most important obstacles.
Limitations – The study is limited in that perspectives of certain actors are not represented in the interviews. One example of this is the perspectives of equippment suppliers, which is important as this group of actors have been highlighted to have significant knowledge in the studied area.
Keywords – Sustainability transitions, Socio-technical systems, Technical Innovation System, Value Chain, Protein Extraction, Legumes
2022.