Key Takeaways
- Protealis has received new funding from VLAIO to support the RhizoScale project.
- The funding will accelerate scaling of MagNfix™, Protealis’ soybean seed coating technology.
- MagNfix™ is designed to improve nitrogen fixation, yield, and protein content in European soybeans.
- The solution targets Europe’s reliance on imported, non-GMO soy.
- Protealis plans to expand its team and industrial capacity to bring the technology to market.
Protealis Receives VLAIO Support to Advance Soybean Innovation
Protealis, a European specialist in non-GMO legume seeds and seed technologies, has announced new funding from VLAIO, the Flemish Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The funding will support the RhizoScale project, which aims to accelerate the commercial scaling of Protealis’ soybean seed coating technology, MagNfix™.
The initiative is intended to support European farmers in growing high-yield, high-protein soybeans locally, addressing structural challenges linked to climate, soil biology, and reliance on imported protein crops.
Scaling Protealis's MagNfix™ for European Farming Conditions
Focus on Nitrogen Fixation and Yield Stability
MagNfix™ is a soybean seed coating based on a locally adapted Bradyrhizobium bacteria strain that remains biologically active under temperate Western European conditions. Soybean plants depend on these bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms. Without effective nitrogen fixation, yields and protein levels are significantly reduced.
According to Protealis, MagNfix™ will be offered as a ready-to-sow solution, eliminating the need for on-farm or last-minute inoculation steps. The company reports that several years of testing and field trials have demonstrated consistent improvements in yield and protein content compared with existing inoculation products.
Benjamin Laga, CEO of Protealis, said the VLAIO funding will support both operational and commercial expansion. “This support is key to scaling both our team and production capacity as we bring our innovative soy seed coating, MagNfix™, to market,” he said.
Addressing Europe’s Dependence on Imported Soy
Structural Constraints in Local Soy Production
Europe currently imports more than 34 million tonnes of soy annually, primarily from Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. Local cultivation has historically been limited by long daylight hours, unsuitable varieties, and the absence of naturally occurring Bradyrhizobium bacteria in European soils.
While soybean acreage in Europe has increased over the past decade due to improved varieties, existing inoculation methods have struggled to deliver consistent results at scale. Many products rely on bacterial strains poorly adapted to local soils, require careful handling, or must be applied shortly before planting due to limited shelf life.
Protealis positions MagNfix™ as a response to these constraints, offering a stable, factory-applied coating designed for large-scale deployment.
Protealis Preparing for Commercial Scale-Up
Team Growth and Industrial Readiness
With support from VLAIO, Protealis plans to expand its team and prepare the industrial processes required for large-scale production of MagNfix™. The company aims to accelerate market entry so farmers can access the technology sooner.
Soybean production in Europe reached approximately 3.0 million tonnes in 2024, making soy the leading plant protein crop ahead of peas, faba beans, and lupins. Demand for locally grown, non-GMO soy continues to increase, driven by plant-based food markets, sustainability targets, and rising import costs.
Founded in April 2021, Protealis has built a portfolio of early-maturing soybean varieties adapted to northern and central European climates. The company states that the RhizoScale project aligns with its broader mission to strengthen Europe’s plant protein supply through locally adapted genetics and enabling seed technologies.
