Awakened Grains partners with Proximity Malt to scale production of specialty flour
The partnership will accelerate large-scale production, expand access to better-tasting, better-for-you flour, and streamline fulfillment.
USA – Awakened Grains, a Seattle-based grain technology company, has signed a production and distribution agreement with Proximity Malt LLC to expand the manufacturing and availability of its specialty germinated-grain flour across the US market.
Under the partnership, Proximity Malt will produce and manage distribution of Awakened Grains’ flour, supporting increased production capacity, wider market access, and improved order fulfilment.
Proximity Malt operates regional malting and roasting facilities in Colorado and Delaware.
The agreement will initially support annual production of up to 15,000 tonnes of Awakened Grains’ Imperial Flour, increasing supplies for commercial bakeries, food manufacturers, institutional buyers, retail private-label businesses, foodservice operators, blenders and dry-ingredient companies.
Awakened Grains has developed a patented, natural processing technology that uses controlled germination and starch conversion to transform whole grains, pulses and legumes into baking flour with enhanced nutritional and functional properties.
The technology is designed to improve protein and fibre content, flavour, digestibility and baking performance while retaining the benefits of whole-grain ingredients.
According to the company, its Imperial germinated wheat flour delivers 30% more protein and five times the fibre of conventional premium wheat flour.
The flour also gives manufacturers opportunities to reformulate baked products, with pastries made with the ingredient achieving comparable sweetness with 20-30% less added sugar.
The partnership will also introduce a second product, Power Flour, with commercial production scheduled to begin at a smaller scale in early 2027.
Made from soft white winter wheat, the next-generation flour is designed to deliver 3.5 times more protein, 40 times more fibre, 75% fewer net carbohydrates and 30% fewer calories than other premium baking flours, according to Awakened Grains.
Initial production will focus on commercial testing, formulation development, and product batch runs before larger-scale manufacturing and distribution begin.
Dan Haggert, chief executive officer of Awakened Grains, said Proximity Malt’s experience in germination and grain processing made it a suitable partner for scaling the company’s patented technology.
Proximity Malt CEO Dale West also highlighted the potential of controlled germination to unlock new opportunities in grain flavour, nutrition and functionality.
Awakened Grains will continue manufacturing flour in Canada to serve Canadian and other international customers, while the new agreement strengthens its US production and distribution capabilities.
The partnership highlights growing opportunities in value-added grain processing, particularly as bakery and food manufacturers seek innovative ingredients that combine improved nutritional profiles with functionality and consumer appeal.
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