UK-based upp is developing harvesting equipment (using 3D cameras & AI) to detect – broccoli heads – ready for harvest (even when they’re partially obscured by leaves). The startups’s patented tractor-pulled device (which can operate in the day or at night) cuts the whole plant & lifts it onto a trailer, where the heads are separated from the leaves & stem. After the heads are shipped to market, upp focuses on the 80% of the broccoli plant (that would otherwise be lost) by uppcycling™ it into protein. It’s interesting to note, that the UK is one of the largest producers of broccoli in the world, but relies on a dwindling & expensive labor force to hand-pick heads (usually leaving stems, stalks & roots unused). In terms of plant-based protein, the global market is currently worth $30bn & projected $130bn by 2030 (upp estimates that the market for “broccoli protein” could amount to 25% of that – once its potential has been realized) (fun fact: BCG estimates one gigaton of CO2 could be saved if 11% of global protein consumption was plant-based). Worth keeping in mind, some-plant based proteins (e.g. soya) are more carbon-intensive than others (upp mentions its tech would be 4x less carbon-intensive). Funds will be used to achieve initial (upp-harvesting & uppcycling™) sales by 2024, with 3 field-to-protein pilots in the UK, Spain & California. The firm’s 2027 revenue target is €50m. upp was founded in 2022 by David Whitewood (CEO), with the support of Has Rathnayake (Head of Mechatronics) & Joe Sanderson (Project Manager). <Source: vegconomist.de, tech.eu, uktech.news>
