BarleyNOR
Norwegian Barley for industrial-scale malting
How can Norwegian barley be used for malt production at an industrial scale? In this project, we will increase knowledge and explore opportunities.
Start
01. Mar 2025
End
28. Feb 2029
Funded by
FFL/JA
Cooperation
Norgesmøllene, Felleskjøpet Agri, Hansa Borg Bryggerier, Østfoldkorn, NIBIO, NORSUS, Graminor, Bryggeri- og drikkevareforeningen (BROD), VLB, JærMalt
Project Manager(s):
Other Participants:
Background
Today (2018-2022), an average of 553,000 tonnes of barley is harvested yearly in Norway, most of which is used for animal feed. In seasons with favourable growth conditions, barley production for animal feed has been excessive in recent years. Simultaneously, there is a decreasing trend of Norwegian barley being used as food, with only an average of 2,850 tonnes (about 0.5%) consumed as food. However, approximately 40,000 tonnes of malt are imported annually, at a value of over 100 million NOK.
Objectives
BarleyNOR aims to establish knowledge that enables increased use of Norwegian barley in food and drink through industrial-scale malting in a sustainable manner.
What we do
- BarleyNOR will explore consumer insights and market potential for Norwegian malt, which are key to establishing industrial maltsters in Norway. In addition, we will analyze the sensory qualities of malt and other products developed in the project.
- Today, by-products such as spent grains and yeast from brewing have low value and are mainly used as feed. We will investigate whether these by-products can be a source of valuable nutrients such as proteins and dietary fiber. We will use enzymatic hydrolysis to make these available and investigate the bioactivity of peptides that may have health benefits. This can increase the value of the by-products and provide opportunities to use them in food production.
- The project will also identify suitable barley cultivars and breeding lines for Norwegian conditions, and develop agronomical practices for high yield and optimal protein content.
- Moreover, the project will study how environmental conditions affect grain quality and the malting process.
- Additionally, the project will evaluate the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of industrial-scale malt production in Norway, identifying measures to enhance sustainability.
