The Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) announces the winners of its Sustainability Leadership and Innovation awards, which were given to recipients at the Pulses 24 event Gala Dinner on February 16. 

The Innovation Award has been given to Ebro Ingredients, which has developed a pregel pea starch concentrate, that represents an economical, clean-label, sustainable solution for extending and filling processed meats. This company invests heavily in finding new solutions for the food industry, based on its proprietary pulse ingredients.

“This award recognizes a company that puts innovation at the heart of everything it does. In doing so, it sets an example for our industry and paves the way for a more sustainable future,” said Vijay Iyengar, GPC President.

"It is an honor to receive this award from GPC. Ebro is committed to innovation and strives to stay at the cutting-edge in order to bring pulses into the future of food. Thank you for the recognition," said Graham Carter who received the award for Ebro.

The winner of the Sustainability Leadership award, Fabumin, has developed a system for adding value to the pulse industry’s waste water, which it turns into a plant-based, economic, eco-friendly powdered egg substitute. With this technology, it maximizes value for both producers and consumers and is an exciting step forward in the pulse industry’s move towards creating a circular economy and sustainable supply chains. 

“Companies such as this one are truly building the future of pulses - when we learned about what they were doing, we were fascinated by the potential of their technology to transform parts of the supply chain and make it more sustainable at the same time,” said President Iyengar.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by GPC for our contribution to sustainability in pulses! All of us here at Fabumin are excited to continue collaborating with the industry and we can't wait to see what the future will bring," said Adi Lengel, receiving the award for Fabumin.  

This is the second year the GPC has awarded companies for Sustainability and Innovation, an initiative that the organization plans to continue for a long time in order to cement the place of pulses in the future of food systems. This follows on from other GPC initiatives to promote pulses including 2016’s International Year of Pulses and World Pulses Day, in assocation with the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the organization’s recent participation at COP28, the first time pulses have ever featured at this climate summit.  

About the awards

The Innovation Award honors a company for its creative vision, bold ideas and ingenuity. The ideal nominee company is one that has developed an innovative pulse product offering or a new technology or process related to pulses that advances the global pulses sector.  

The Sustainability Leadership Award honors a company that is pioneering in working to promote and drive the sustainability of pulses and inspiring others to do the same, endeavoring to demonstrate and strengthen the ability of pulses to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Companies may be nominated or nominate themselves and all applications are reviewed by the GPC Executive Committee before winners are chosen.