Inside BENEO’s new pulse plant: pioneering sustainable protein from faba beans
The report was launched during 4th Plant Based Foods Summit held on the sidelines of AAHAR 2026
The Good Food Institute India (GFI India), in collaboration with the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), released a study titled India as a global manufacturing hub for smart protein processing equipment at the 4th Plant Based Foods Summit held on the sidelines of AAHAR 2026.
The report delivers an assessment of India’s current manufacturing capabilities for plant-based smart protein processing equipment, offering strategic recommendations for government, industry, and research institutions to accelerate domestic production and reduce costly import dependence.
The study, led by NIFTEM-T, with valuable contributions from a broad range of academic experts and industry stakeholders in equipment manufacturing, process engineering, and food and agri-processing domains, examines three critical equipment categories at the heart of the plant-based smart protein supply chain: extruders, dryers, and separators. As demand for sustainable protein sources grows, these specialised processing systems are essential for extracting plant protein concentrates and isolates to produce plant-based meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood, among other high-protein plant foods.
Dr Padma Ishwarya S, Senior Scientist (Plant-based), GFI India, adds, “Smart protein innovation depends not only on novel ingredients but also on the sophisticated processing technologies that transform them into consumer-ready foods. Through academia and industry collaboration and By investing in R&D infrastructure and equipment testing facilities, India can develop high-performance food-grade processing equipment that serves both domestic manufacturers and global markets.”
Prof V Palanimuthu, Director, NIFTEM, Thanjavur, commented, “This report provides a roadmap for strengthening India’s smart protein processing equipment ecosystem by identifying critical technological gaps and opportunities. The insights presented will guide policymakers, industry, and researchers in propelling India toward becoming a global hub for plant-based protein equipment manufacturing. I congratulate the teams from NIFTEM-T and GFI India for their commendable joint efforts in refining and analysing all the data on state-of-the-art facilities and developing actionable recommendations that can significantly accelerate the alternative protein sector.”
The launch of the report in the presence of Takayuki Hagiwara, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in India, representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and representatives from the governments of Germany and Saskatchewan, among other key dignitaries, was a key highlight of the 4th Plant Based Foods Summit. Held alongside the 40th AAHAR in the capital, the summit convened policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and food industry leaders to discuss the future of plant-based foods in India and the broader smart protein ecosystem.
Arghadeep Saha, Head of Policy, GFI India, said, “This study addresses a foundational constraint that has long held back India’s smart protein sector, the availability of advanced, affordable, and locally serviceable processing equipment. Our analysis shows that India has the manufacturing DNA to close these gaps. What’s needed now is a targeted, coordinated push from government and industry to act on these recommendations and turn India’s engineering strength into a global competitive advantage.”
Through the findings of the report, GFI India and NIFTEM-T aim to support the development of a robust manufacturing ecosystem, making Indian machines the low-risk choice both in India and for export markets and positioning India as a leader in the global alternative protein market.