Norwegian researchers explore grass biorefining to cut feed costs

NORWAY – Researchers in Norway are leading a pilot initiative to make grass-derived animal feed more cost-effective, intending to reduce Europe’s reliance on imported soybean meal. 

The project, spearheaded by the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) in collaboration with Aarhus University in Denmark, aims to modernise and optimise established techniques for protein extraction from grass and other forages.  

The idea of turning grass into animal feed is not a novel concept. According to Steffen Adler, a research scientist at NIBIO, the notion dates back to the 18th century, with functional protein extraction methods developed in the 1950s. 

However, these methods lost favour as soybean imports became more affordable. Today, Denmark hosts two commercial-scale biorefineries, but high production costs still challenge the competitiveness of green biorefinery products.  

The pilot biorefinery in Norway seeks to overcome these challenges by focusing on cost efficiency and co-product utilisation. 

Grass biorefining involves pressing forage to extract a protein-rich liquid, which is heated to separate proteins into a powdered form suitable for animal feed. 

This process produces three outputs: protein powder, pressed grass pulp, and a nutrient-rich liquid with industrial potential.  

“In a biorefining process, the plant material undergoes a rough treatment in a screw press, releasing valuable nutrients along with the liquid fraction,” explained Adler. “This allows grass proteins to be concentrated into a digestible protein feed even for animals with simple stomachs, such as poultry, pigs, and fish.”  

“The main motivation is the protein, which can be used in feed for chickens or pigs,” Adler continued. “But the protein alone likely won’t cover the costs, so utilising all fractions is key to economic viability.”  

Early trials suggest the pressed pulp could serve as an effective cattle feed, offering improved feed conversion and fewer environmental impacts due to reduced nitrogen compounds. 

Beyond livestock feed, the pulp shows promise for applications in eco-friendly plastics and materials. Meanwhile, the nutrient-rich liquid could serve as a base for single-cell proteins or microalgae production.  

“Over 50% of agricultural production in Norway is grass,” noted Audun Korsæth, Director of the Division of Food Production and Society at NIBIO, during the biorefinery’s opening. “At the same time, we have abundant seaweed along the Norwegian coast, with up to 30% protein content. We envision developing the plant along these two lines.”  

The researchers are also exploring alternative forages and algae as additional inputs for biorefining, aiming to broaden the scope of sustainable feed production.

By focusing on efficiency and innovative co-product utilisation, this initiative represents a significant step toward locally sourced, sustainable feed solutions for Europe’s livestock industry.  

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