METALQUIMIA has joined forces with the University of Lleida and the companies Zyrcular Foods, Semillas Batlle and Elian to promote the cultivation of proximity plant protein. The project is part of the EU Next Generation Fund Plan of the Catalan Government led by the Minister of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Catalan Government, the Honorable Mrs Teresa Jordà.

This project aims "to structure a value chain that promotes the cultivation of plant proteins typical of the Mediterranean and the Ebro Valley". The initiative will promote the local production of plant protein with a fully integrated production chain in southern Europe. Among the objectives of the plan are the diversification of the rural economy, the reduction of the carbon footprint and the dependence on raw materials from other regions, innovation in the cultivation of local legumes or the adaptation of plant protein to the Mediterranean diet. In Josep Lagares’ words, Executive President of METALQUIMIA: “Catalonia is a global leader in the technology and processing of animal protein; now we have the opportunity to also be global leaders in the technology and treatment of plant protein, we cannot waste a minute.”