EUBCE 2026 - Erfan KHOSRAVANIMOGHADAM - Designing Efficient Supply Chains for Grass Protein Biomass: A Configurational Approach

Designing Efficient Supply Chains for Grass Protein Biomass: A Configurational Approach

Short Introductive summary

Grass and forage crops are increasingly recognized as promising sustainable protein sources because they can be grown across large grassland areas, often require lower inputs compared to imported soy, and can deliver biomass yields with significant extractable protein fractions. However, scaling grass-derived protein production from research trials to commercial deployment demands efficient and optimized supply chains. Biomass supply-chain logistics include harvesting timing, transport, storage, processing and by-product flows strongly impact yield, quality, costs and sustainability. For instance, logistics constraints and delayed processing have been shown to reduce extractable protein yield and digestibility in grass-based biorefineries. This study maps and compares four supply-chain configurations for producing protein concentrates and co-products from grass and other green biomass. We present technical and logistical blueprints for four archetypal models (Centralized, Decentralized Wet Fractionation, On-Farm Processing, and Hybrid) affecting protein yield, costs, transport emissions, and by-product valorization.

E. Khosravanimoghadam, Aarhus University, Tjele, DENMARK
M. Nørremark, Aarhus University, Tjele, DENMARK
M. Ambye-Jensen, Aarhus University, Tjele, DENMARK
C. Grøn Sørensen, Aarhus University, Tjele, DENMARK