VALPRO Path New Research Sheds Light on the Sustainability of Faba Bean-Based Beverages

A new research paper from VALPRO Path delves into the environmental and economic impact of a model plant-based beverage using faba bean protein, giving valuable insight into how different processing and production can affect the sustainability of plant protein-based foods.

The paper “Sustainable and cost-effective: the environmental and economic advantages of a model plant-based beverage”, published in Sustainable Food Technology in 2026, was carried out by researchers from the National Technical University of Athens, and Teagasc Food Research Centre, including VALPRO Path partners Richard Lynch, Mark Fenelon and Eoin Murphy.

The study looked at the life-cycle assessment and life-cycle costing of a model nutritional beverage using faba bean protein isolate and maltodextrin, from the cultivation of faba beans through to the production of the beverage.

As a result of the study, researchers identified that faba beans can provide an interesting source of protein for the production of plant-based beverages. Its production involved relatively limited use of fertiliser in the system studied, but provides a high-protein ingredient for food uses.

The authors note several key areas of impact:

• Energy-intensive processes, particularly in relation to protein isolate production and beverage manufacture, were major contributors to environmental impact.
• Decantation and spray-drying were also important contributors to the environmental footprint of ingredient production.
• Filling and packaging had significant impact, particularly in relation to climate change, fossil resource depletion and fine particulate matter formation.
• The production of the model beverage was estimated to cause 0.229 kg CO2 equivalent per 330 mL serving in terms of climate change impact.
• From an economic perspective, beverage production and protein isolate production were also the largest costs, due primarily to energy, labour and processing requirements, with the researchers estimating the cost of the model 330 mL beverage at approximately €0.46.

The researchers also identify key areas of opportunity, in terms of reducing environmental impact and production costs: more energy-efficient processing, alternative approaches to fractionation, renewable energy and more sustainable packaging are all areas which could have a significant impact. Particularly in relation to alternatives to the energy-intensive process of spray-drying and considering the use of dry fractionation approaches.

By looking at the entire production chain, the research underlines the critical importance of considering the broader implications on the sustainability of plant protein foods beyond the crop production itself. Processing of ingredients and the use of energy and packaging can all be crucial to the environmental and economic impact of a given product. The research feeds into the broader goals of VALPRO Path, supporting the development of sustainable, competitive and value-added European plant protein value chains.