Food-processing cascades — how they are built, in full detail

Multi-step food products (juice → concentrate → powder; seed → meal → isolate → textured protein; grain → flour → pasta) are reconstructed by chaining subprocess generators. Each generator holds a pool of peer-reviewed unit-process data; the cascade walker selects one plant per stage, tracks the substrate-side mass ratio through the chain, and rebases every flow to 1 kg of final product. This page documents every cascade, the study behind each processing step, and walks one example (orange → juice concentrate) end-to-end.

Every number here is regenerated from the live code + data by scripts/build_cascade_docs.py — it cannot drift from the shipped dataset. ← back to the dataset landing page

Cascade categories45 processing chains
Shipped cascade products149 EDB activities routed through a chain
Subprocess generators13 unit-process pools (juice, pulping, drying, milling, extrusion, oil, …)
Functional unit1 kg final product at the factory gate
Data ruleevery flow cites a source declared in its pool's _metadata.sources and resolved to the central literature library

How a cascade is built

  1. Chain lookup. A product category (e.g. juice_concentrate) maps to an ordered list of stages in product_cascade.CHAINS.
  2. Plant selection. At each stage a multi-axis fit scorer (processing technology → FoodEx2 taxonomy → geography → throughput tier) picks the best-matching plant from that stage's generator pool. A cross-substrate pick is flagged as a proxy and surfaced with the reason.
  3. Mass-balance walk. Starting from 1 kg final product, the walker chains each stage's substrate-side mass ratio (juice yield, Brix ratio, extraction rate, moisture balance) — read from product_properties.json, never from the equipment pool — to learn how many kg enter each stage.
  4. Rebasing. Each stage's per-kg-output flows are multiplied by its cumulative output-per-final ratio (and any downstream co-product allocation factor) and summed to a single per-kg-final inventory.
  5. Scope. A gate-to-gate cascade leaves the substrate flow unbound (gate_to_gate); a cradle-to-gate proxy links the upstream crop/feed and bakes it in (cradle_to_gate_proxy).

Worked example — 1 kg orange juice concentrate

Category juice_concentrate, substrate orange. The chain is extractionpasteurisationconcentration .

Result: producing 1 kg of finished concentrate pulls 14.9192 kg of whole oranges and the combined gate-to-gate inventory below. Proxy substitutions in this run: 0.

The walker starts at 1 kg concentrate and works backward. Each stage's output per kg final is the cumulative mass ratio downstream of it; the extraction stage sits behind ~5.8 kg of pasteurised juice per kg concentrate, so its per-kg-juice flows are multiplied up accordingly.

Step 1 — extraction

Plant selected: Italian orange cold-press plant (Beccali 2009) (pool juice_extraction). Mass ratio into this stage: 2.5707 kg input / kg stage output; this stage sits behind 5.8036 kg of output per kg final concentrate.

Flows (per kg final concentrate):

electricity_kwh0.13606
water_kg7.21045
wastewater_kg7.21045
Provenance for this stage's numbers
Pool fieldValueSourceDerivation
cold_press.electricity_kwh_per_kg_fruit0.00912 kWh/kg fruitbeccali_2009Fig 1 (p. 713): orange extraction-only electricity. Selection & Washing 101,617 + Primary Extraction 95,678 + Refining/EO-line 29,033 + Centrifugation 128,011 + Refining/juice-line 29,033 = 383,372 MJ/yr ÷ 3.6 ÷ 11,675,973 kg = 0.00912 kWh/kg fruit. 100% electric.
cold_press.natural_gas_mj_per_kg_fruit0.0 MJ/kg fruitbeccali_2009Extraction is 100% electric. All natural gas belongs to pasteurisation + concentration.
cold_press.water_kg_per_kg_fruit0.4833 kg/kg fruitbeccali_2009Fig 1: 5,643,050 kg wash water / 11,675,973 kg fruit = 0.4833 kg/kg
cold_press.wastewater_kg_per_kg_fruit0.4833 kg/kg fruitbeccali_2009[DERIVED — mass balance] Equal to water_kg_per_kg_fruit (0.4833). Fruit washing: incoming wash water leaves as wastewater (fruit does not absorb wash water meaningfully). Originating water source: beccali_2009.
nfc_plant_florida.electricity_kwh_per_kg_fruit0.0658 kWh/kg fruitdwivedi_2012Section 2.4: 0.11 kWh/L × 0.5983 L/kg fruit. Mass-allocated after subtracting feed mill + evaporator + FCOJ storage.
nfc_plant_florida.natural_gas_mj_per_kg_fruit1.292 MJ/kg fruitdwivedi_2012Section 2.4: 0.06 m³/L × 36 MJ/m³ × 0.5983 L/kg = 1.292 MJ/kg. Includes steam for pasteurisation, CIP, captive power.
nfc_plant.electricity_kwh_per_kg_fruit0.0655 kWh/kg fruitsense_d2_1_2013Table 2.4: 0.15 kWh/L ÷ 1.048 kg/L ÷ 2.185 kg orange/kg juice = 0.0655 kWh/kg fruit. Includes all plant electricity (extraction + CIP pumps + HTST + ancillary).
nfc_plant.natural_gas_mj_per_kg_fruit0.2969 MJ/kg fruitsense_d2_1_2013Table 2.4: 0.68 MJ/L ÷ 1.048 kg/L ÷ 2.185 = 0.2969 MJ/kg fruit. Includes HTST + CIP steam. Cf. US Florida: 2.18 MJ/L (3.2x higher).
nfc_plant.water_kg_per_kg_fruit2.227 kg/kg fruitsense_d2_1_2013Table 2.4: 5.1 L/L juice ÷ 1.048 ÷ 2.185 = 2.227 kg/kg fruit. Total plant water (CIP + process + washing).
nfc_plant.wastewater_kg_per_kg_fruit2.227 kg/kg fruitsense_d2_1_2013[DERIVED — mass balance] Equal to water_kg_per_kg_fruit (2.227). Fruit washing: incoming wash water leaves as wastewater (fruit does not absorb wash water meaningfully). Originating water source: sense_d2_1_2013.

How cold_press.electricity_kwh_per_kg_fruit was derived = 0.00912 kWh/kg fruit

physical relation A unit conversion or mass/energy balance that is true by physics — checkable with a calculator.

sum(electric energy into the five extraction-line unit operations, MJ/yr) / (3.6 MJ per kWh) / (annual fruit mass at plant intake, kg/yr) = electricity per kg fruit [kWh/kg]

Read before verifying — known traps in the source:
  • WHOLE-PLANT YEARLY BASIS. Fig. 1 is a *yearly* flowchart for the entire plant, so every number in it is an annual plant total, not a per-kg or per-batch figure. Each one must be divided by the annual throughput to become a per-kg factor. A reviewer who does not know this cannot follow the arithmetic.
  • THE VALUE 29,033 APPEARS TWICE IN Fig. 1, IN TWO DIFFERENT BOXES. Searching the PDF for "29,033" returns two hits: the "Refining" box on the ESSENTIAL OIL line (left branch) and the "Refining" box on the JUICE line (right branch). They are two distinct electricity arrows into two distinct unit operations that happen to carry the same value. We have NOT double-counted a single number: both are included because both operations are inside our boundary. This coincidence is a genuine trap for a reviewer and is why it is called out here.
  • THE DIVISOR IS INTAKE MASS, NOT EXTRACTION MASS. We divide by 11,675,973 kg — the fruit entering "Selection and Washing". The mass entering "Primary Extraction" is LOWER (10,507,430 kg) because Selection and Washing rejects 1,168,543 kg of leaves and rejected citrus. A reviewer recomputing with 10,507,430 would get 0.01013 and conclude we are wrong. We are not: this factor is deliberately expressed PER KG OF FRUIT AT INTAKE, which is the basis on which the cascade walker feeds it.
  • The published value is rounded; the exact chain value is 0.009120629 kWh/kg fruit.

Inputs — every number, and where to find it in the source:

ValueWhat it isSourceWhere to find itSearch the PDF for
101,617 MJ/yrElectric energy into "Selection and Washing"beccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Electric energy" arrow entering the box "Selection and Washing"101,617
95,678 MJ/yrElectric energy into "Primary Extraction"beccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Electric energy" arrow entering the box "Primary Extraction"95,678
29,033 MJ/yrElectric energy into "Refining" on the ESSENTIAL OIL line (left branch)beccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Electric energy" arrow entering the box "Refining" on the ESSENTIAL OIL line (left branch)29,033
128,011 MJ/yrElectric energy into "Centrifugation" on the essential-oil linebeccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Electric energy" arrow entering the box "Centrifugation" on the essential-oil line128,011
29,033 MJ/yrElectric energy into "Refining" on the JUICE line (right branch)beccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Electric energy" arrow entering the box "Refining" on the JUICE line (right branch)29,033
3.6 MJ/kWhEnergy unit conversion, 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ (SI definition)— not from a sourcederived / constantnot a printed value
11,675,973 kg/yrAnnual orange mass AT PLANT INTAKE — the "Oranges" arrow leaving "Cultivation and crop", through "Oranges transport", into "Selection and Washing"beccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Oranges 11,675,973 kg" mass arrow into "Selection and Washing"11,675,973

Calculation:

#Expression=Why
1selection_and_washing_mj + primary_extraction_mj + refining_essential_oil_mj + centrifugation_mj + refining_juice_mj383372 MJ/yrSum the electricity of the five unit operations inside our extraction-only boundary (washing + primary extraction + both refining steps + essential-oil centrifugation). Everything downstream (pasteurisation, concentration, packaging, refrigeration, transport) is EXCLUDED here and modelled by dedicated cascade stages.
2total_electricity_mj_per_yr / mj_per_kwh106492.22222222222 kWh/yrMJ -> kWh, exact SI conversion (1 kWh = 3.6 MJ).
3total_electricity_kwh_per_yr / annual_fruit_intake_kg0.009120629366154086 kWh/kg fruitAnnual plant total / annual throughput -> per-kg factor. The divisor is the mass AT INTAKE, not the mass entering extraction. The exact quotient is carried here; the parameter publishes it rounded to 3 significant figures, and the validator absorbs that with its relative tolerance.

Result: 0.00912 kWh/kg fruit — the value used by the cascade.

How cold_press.natural_gas_mj_per_kg_fruit was derived = 0.0 MJ/kg fruit

physical relation A unit conversion or mass/energy balance that is true by physics — checkable with a calculator.

zero by boundary definition: no thermal (natural gas / methane) arrow enters any of the five unit operations inside the extraction-only boundary

Read before verifying — known traps in the source:
  • ZERO IS A BOUNDARY STATEMENT, NOT A MEASUREMENT. This plant consumes large amounts of methane; all of it sits downstream of extraction (pasteurisation, concentration) and is modelled by the dedicated pasteurisation and concentration cascade stages. Double-counting would result from adding it here.
  • A reviewer checking total plant gas against this entry will find a large discrepancy. That is expected: this entry is extraction-only, and its `included_processes` declares exactly which unit operations it covers.

Inputs — every number, and where to find it in the source:

ValueWhat it isSourceWhere to find itSearch the PDF for
1,182,805 MJ/yrMethane into "Pasteurization and cooling" — OUTSIDE this boundary, listed here only to show where the plant's thermal energy actually goesbeccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Methane 1,182,805 MJ" arrow entering the box "Pasteurization and cooling"1,182,805
2,414,559 MJ/yrMethane into "Concentration and cooling" — OUTSIDE this boundary, attributed to the concentration cascade stagebeccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Methane 2,414,559 MJ" arrow entering the box "Concentration and cooling" on the concentrated-juice line2,414,559
0.0 MJ/yrThermal energy entering the five extraction-line unit operations: none. Every "Methane" and "Steam from boiler" arrow in the figure attaches to a box downstream of extraction.beccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — absence of any thermal arrow into "Selection and Washing", "Primary Extraction", either "Refining" box, or "Centrifugation"not a printed value

Calculation:

#Expression=Why
1thermal_energy_inside_extraction_boundary0.0 MJ/kg fruitExtraction is 100% electric in this plant. The value is zero because the boundary excludes every thermal operation, NOT because the plant uses no gas — it uses a great deal.

Result: 0.0 MJ/kg fruit — the value used by the cascade.

How cold_press.water_kg_per_kg_fruit was derived = 0.4833 kg/kg fruit

physical relation A unit conversion or mass/energy balance that is true by physics — checkable with a calculator.

annual wash water into "Selection and Washing" (kg/yr) / annual fruit mass at plant intake (kg/yr) = wash water per kg fruit [kg/kg]

Read before verifying — known traps in the source:
  • WHOLE-PLANT YEARLY BASIS — Fig. 1 numbers are annual plant totals (see the electricity derivation on the same entry).
  • Fig. 1 shows the SAME value, 5,643,050 kg, leaving "Selection and Washing" as "Wastewater ... To purification plant". That is the source of the mass-balance wastewater parameter on this entry, not a second independent measurement.
  • The published value is rounded; the exact chain value is 0.483304475 kg/kg fruit.

Inputs — every number, and where to find it in the source:

ValueWhat it isSourceWhere to find itSearch the PDF for
5,643,050 kg/yrWater into "Selection and Washing"beccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Water 5,643,050 kg" arrow entering the box "Selection and Washing"5,643,050
11,675,973 kg/yrAnnual orange mass at plant intakebeccali_2009journal p. 713, Fig. 1 — "Oranges 11,675,973 kg" mass arrow into "Selection and Washing"11,675,973

Calculation:

#Expression=Why
1annual_wash_water_kg / annual_fruit_intake_kg0.4833044749247022 kg/kg fruitAnnual plant total / annual throughput -> per-kg factor, on the same intake-mass basis as the electricity factor. Exact quotient carried here; parameter publishes it rounded.

Result: 0.4833 kg/kg fruit — the value used by the cascade.

Step 2 — pasteurisation

Plant selected: Beccali 2009 Fig 1 orange HTST pasteurisation (pool pasteurisation). Mass ratio into this stage: 1.0000 kg input / kg stage output; this stage sits behind 5.8036 kg of output per kg final concentrate.

Flows (per kg final concentrate):

natural_gas_mj2.07362
electricity_kwh0.09106
cooling_water_kg2.31446
Provenance for this stage's numbers
Pool fieldValueSourceDerivation
htst.natural_gas_mj_per_kg_pasteurised0.3573 MJ/kg juicebeccali_2009Fig 1: 1,182,805 MJ methane / 3,309,840 kg juice = 0.3573 MJ/kg. Total boiler input (not post-regeneration). Plant-measured consumption includes whatever heat recovery the plant had.
htst.electricity_kwh_per_kg_pasteurised0.01569 kWh/kg juicebeccali_2009Fig 1: 186,958 MJ / 3.6 / 3,309,840 kg = 0.01569 kWh/kg juice. Pumps, controls, cooling circulation.
htst.cooling_water_kg_per_kg_pasteurised0.3988 kg/kg juicebeccali_2009Fig 1: 1,320,000 / 3,309,840 = 0.3988 kg/kg juice

Step 3 — concentration

Plant selected: Beccali 2009 Fig 1 orange multi-effect evaporation (pool concentration). Mass ratio into this stage: 5.8036 kg input / kg stage output; this stage sits behind 1.0000 kg of output per kg final concentrate.

Flows (per kg final concentrate):

natural_gas_mj8.76171
electricity_kwh0.16813
cooling_water_kg14.65089
condensate_water_kg4.80357
Provenance for this stage's numbers
Pool fieldValueSourceDerivation
multi_effect_evaporation.natural_gas_mj_per_kg_concentrate7.295 MJ/kg concentratebeccali_2009Fig 1: 2,414,559 MJ / 330,984 kg = 7.295 MJ/kg concentrate.
multi_effect_evaporation.electricity_kwh_per_kg_concentrate0.14 kWh/kg concentratebeccali_2009Fig 1: 166,819 MJ / 3.6 / 330,984 kg = 0.1400 kWh/kg conc.
multi_effect_evaporation.cooling_water_kg_per_kg_concentrate12.21 kg/kg concentratebeccali_2009Fig 1: 4,040,100 / 330,984 = 12.21 kg/kg conc
multi_effect_evaporation.thermal_mj_per_kg_water1.824 MJ/kg water evaporatedbeccali_20092,414,559 / 1,323,936 = 1.824 MJ/kg water. Identical for both citrus types -- same equipment.
multi_effect_evaporation.electricity_kwh_per_kg_water_evaporated0.035 kWh/kg water evaporatedbeccali_2009[DERIVED] 0.14 kWh/kg concentrate / 4.0 kg water/kg concentrate = 0.035 kWh/kg water.
multi_effect_evaporation.cooling_water_kg_per_kg_water_evaporated3.05 kg cooling water per kg water evaporatedbeccali_200912.21 kg cooling / 4.0 kg water evap = 3.05.

Combined inventory (1 kg concentrate)

electricity_kwh0.39525
water_kg7.21045
wastewater_kg7.21045
natural_gas_mj10.83533
cooling_water_kg16.96536
condensate_water_kg4.80357

Energy CO₂ flows through BAFU technosphere exchanges (Pattern A composite LCI); the numbers above are the physical energy/water demands the cascade attributes to the concentrate. Add the linked upstream orange feedstock (cradle_to_gate_proxy) for the full cradle-to-gate footprint.

All cascades

Production chains (routed by a shipped EDB activity) first, then forward-investment chains that exist in the registry but are not yet routed to a product.

crude_oilproduction · 23 products

oil_extraction
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
oil_extractionMechanical pressing / solvent extraction of crude oil + meal.oil_extractionbantacut_2025, bussa_2020, carre_2012, cheng_2018, demarco_2020, deng_2016, gaglio_2019, hise_1980, martinez_2013, martinez_2017, nilsson_2010, nopa_2024, proietti_2017, quinsac_2015, subramaniam_2010, yani_2022

flourproduction · 23 products

grain_milling
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
grain_millingRoller / disc milling of grain to flour / semolina / meal.grain_millinggoyal_2012_rice-milling, sabur_2019, uk_flour_millers_2024

juice_concentrate_80pct_water_removedproduction · 13 products

concentration
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
concentrationMulti-effect evaporation removing water to a target Brix.concentrationadal_2024, beccali_2009, zimmer_2017

dried_fruitproduction · 12 products

drying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

refined_oilproduction · 10 products

oil_extractionoil_refining
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
oil_extractionMechanical pressing / solvent extraction of crude oil + meal.oil_extractionbantacut_2025, bussa_2020, carre_2012, cheng_2018, demarco_2020, deng_2016, gaglio_2019, hise_1980, martinez_2013, martinez_2017, nilsson_2010, nopa_2024, proietti_2017, quinsac_2015, subramaniam_2010, yani_2022
oil_refiningDegumming, neutralisation, bleaching, deodorising of crude oil.oil_refininggaglio_2019, nilsson_2010, nopa_2024, yani_2022

juice_concentrateproduction · 8 products

extractionpasteurisationconcentration
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
extractionCold-press / in-line extraction of juice from washed fruit.juice_extractionbeccali_2009, dwivedi_2012, faucher_2020, khanali_2020, sense_d2_1_2013, zimmer_2017
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023
concentrationMulti-effect evaporation removing water to a target Brix.concentrationadal_2024, beccali_2009, zimmer_2017

spray_dried_powder_from_concentrateproduction · 7 products

concentrationdrying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
concentrationMulti-effect evaporation removing water to a target Brix.concentrationadal_2024, beccali_2009, zimmer_2017
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:spray
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

drum_dried_powderproduction · 6 products

drying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:drum
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

pasteurised_juiceproduction · 6 products

extractionpasteurisation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
extractionCold-press / in-line extraction of juice from washed fruit.juice_extractionbeccali_2009, dwivedi_2012, faucher_2020, khanali_2020, sense_d2_1_2013, zimmer_2017
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023

dry_pastaproduction · 4 products

grain_millingpreparation:whole_line
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
grain_millingRoller / disc milling of grain to flour / semolina / meal.
co-product: semolina
grain_millinggoyal_2012_rice-milling, sabur_2019, uk_flour_millers_2024
preparation:whole_lineWash / sort / dice / mix / form unit operations on a line.
tier: industrial
preparationbevilacqua_2007, ilari_2019, karakaya_2011, paolotti_2023, rasines_2023, giner_santonja_2019, sabur_2019_2

fresh_cut_vegetable_lineproduction · 4 products

preparation:whole_line
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
preparation:whole_lineWash / sort / dice / mix / form unit operations on a line.
tech: preparation:whole_line:fresh_cut
preparationbevilacqua_2007, ilari_2019, karakaya_2011, paolotti_2023, rasines_2023, giner_santonja_2019, sabur_2019_2

pasteurised_plant_drinkproduction · 4 products

plant_drink_processingpasteurisation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
plant_drink_processingWet-milling + formulation of a plant-based drink.plant_drink_processingfloren_2013, grant_2018
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023

sundried_fruitproduction · 4 products

drying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:sundrying
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

textured_protein_pulse_wet_routeproduction · 4 products

separationdryingprotein_extrusiondrying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: wet_protein_isolate · tech: isoelectric_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:spray
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020
protein_extrusionLow- or high-moisture extrusion of protein isolate to texturate.
tech: lm_extrusion
protein_extrusionaimutis_2024, fang_2014_hmme_sme, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, saerens_2021_extrusion, smetana_2015, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion, smetana_2015, aimutis_2024, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:hot_air
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

freeze_dried_fruitproduction · 3 products

drying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:freeze
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

juice_extractionproduction · 3 products

extraction
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
extractionCold-press / in-line extraction of juice from washed fruit.juice_extractionbeccali_2009, dwivedi_2012, faucher_2020, khanali_2020, sense_d2_1_2013, zimmer_2017

puree_concentrateproduction · 3 products

pulpingconcentration
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
pulpingCrushing + refining fruit/vegetable to a strained purée.pulpingeslami_2023, karakaya_2011, singh_1980
concentrationMulti-effect evaporation removing water to a target Brix.concentrationadal_2024, beccali_2009, zimmer_2017

pureeproduction · 2 products

pulping
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
pulpingCrushing + refining fruit/vegetable to a strained purée.pulpingeslami_2023, karakaya_2011, singh_1980

spray_dried_powderproduction · 2 products

drying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:spray
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

dry_pasta_artisanalproduction · 1 product

grain_millingpreparation:whole_line
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
grain_millingRoller / disc milling of grain to flour / semolina / meal.
co-product: semolina
grain_millinggoyal_2012_rice-milling, sabur_2019, uk_flour_millers_2024
preparation:whole_lineWash / sort / dice / mix / form unit operations on a line.
tier: artisan
preparationbevilacqua_2007, ilari_2019, karakaya_2011, paolotti_2023, rasines_2023, giner_santonja_2019, sabur_2019_2

flour_from_mealproduction · 1 product

oil_extractiongrain_milling
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
oil_extractionMechanical pressing / solvent extraction of crude oil + meal.
co-product: meal
oil_extractionbantacut_2025, bussa_2020, carre_2012, cheng_2018, demarco_2020, deng_2016, gaglio_2019, hise_1980, martinez_2013, martinez_2017, nilsson_2010, nopa_2024, proietti_2017, quinsac_2015, subramaniam_2010, yani_2022
grain_millingRoller / disc milling of grain to flour / semolina / meal.grain_millinggoyal_2012_rice-milling, sabur_2019, uk_flour_millers_2024

frozen_french_beanproduction · 1 product

preparation:whole_line
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
preparation:whole_lineWash / sort / dice / mix / form unit operations on a line.
tech: preparation:whole_line:frozen_vegetable
preparationbevilacqua_2007, ilari_2019, karakaya_2011, paolotti_2023, rasines_2023, giner_santonja_2019, sabur_2019_2

pasteurised_pureeproduction · 1 product

pulpingpasteurisation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
pulpingCrushing + refining fruit/vegetable to a strained purée.pulpingeslami_2023, karakaya_2011, singh_1980
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023

rehydrated_textured_proteinproduction · 1 product

rehydration
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
rehydrationDilute a concentrate / soak a dry solid back to product moisture.rehydrationsingh_1980

strawberry_coulisproduction · 1 product

pulpingcoulis_formulationpasteurisation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
pulpingCrushing + refining fruit/vegetable to a strained purée.pulpingeslami_2023, karakaya_2011, singh_1980
coulis_formulationBlend purée with cane sugar to an open coulis recipe.pulpingeslami_2023, karakaya_2011, singh_1980
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023

textured_protein_oilseed_route_hmproduction · 1 product

oil_extractionseparationdryingprotein_extrusion
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
oil_extractionMechanical pressing / solvent extraction of crude oil + meal.
co-product: meal
oil_extractionbantacut_2025, bussa_2020, carre_2012, cheng_2018, demarco_2020, deng_2016, gaglio_2019, hise_1980, martinez_2013, martinez_2017, nilsson_2010, nopa_2024, proietti_2017, quinsac_2015, subramaniam_2010, yani_2022
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: wet_protein_isolate · tech: isoelectric_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:spray
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020
protein_extrusionLow- or high-moisture extrusion of protein isolate to texturate.
tech: hmme_extrusion
protein_extrusionaimutis_2024, fang_2014_hmme_sme, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, saerens_2021_extrusion, smetana_2015, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion, smetana_2015, aimutis_2024, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion

textured_protein_pulse_wet_route_hmproduction · 1 product

separationdryingprotein_extrusion
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: wet_protein_isolate · tech: isoelectric_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:spray
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020
protein_extrusionLow- or high-moisture extrusion of protein isolate to texturate.
tech: hmme_extrusion
protein_extrusionaimutis_2024, fang_2014_hmme_sme, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, saerens_2021_extrusion, smetana_2015, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion, smetana_2015, aimutis_2024, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion

canned_diced_tomatoforward-investment

preparation:washingpreparation:sortingpreparation:dicing
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
preparation:washingWash / sort / dice / mix / form unit operations on a line.preparationbevilacqua_2007, ilari_2019, karakaya_2011, paolotti_2023, rasines_2023, giner_santonja_2019, sabur_2019_2
preparation:sortingWash / sort / dice / mix / form unit operations on a line.preparationbevilacqua_2007, ilari_2019, karakaya_2011, paolotti_2023, rasines_2023, giner_santonja_2019, sabur_2019_2
preparation:dicingWash / sort / dice / mix / form unit operations on a line.preparationbevilacqua_2007, ilari_2019, karakaya_2011, paolotti_2023, rasines_2023, giner_santonja_2019, sabur_2019_2

clarified_juiceforward-investment

extractionseparation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
extractionCold-press / in-line extraction of juice from washed fruit.juice_extractionbeccali_2009, dwivedi_2012, faucher_2020, khanali_2020, sense_d2_1_2013, zimmer_2017
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020

clarified_juice_concentrateforward-investment

extractionseparationpasteurisationconcentration
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
extractionCold-press / in-line extraction of juice from washed fruit.juice_extractionbeccali_2009, dwivedi_2012, faucher_2020, khanali_2020, sense_d2_1_2013, zimmer_2017
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023
concentrationMulti-effect evaporation removing water to a target Brix.concentrationadal_2024, beccali_2009, zimmer_2017

juiceforward-investment

extraction
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
extractionCold-press / in-line extraction of juice from washed fruit.juice_extractionbeccali_2009, dwivedi_2012, faucher_2020, khanali_2020, sense_d2_1_2013, zimmer_2017

juice_from_concentrateforward-investment

extractionpasteurisationconcentrationrehydrationpasteurisation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
extractionCold-press / in-line extraction of juice from washed fruit.juice_extractionbeccali_2009, dwivedi_2012, faucher_2020, khanali_2020, sense_d2_1_2013, zimmer_2017
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023
concentrationMulti-effect evaporation removing water to a target Brix.concentrationadal_2024, beccali_2009, zimmer_2017
rehydrationDilute a concentrate / soak a dry solid back to product moisture.rehydrationsingh_1980
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023

pasteurised_clarified_juiceforward-investment

extractionseparationpasteurisation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
extractionCold-press / in-line extraction of juice from washed fruit.juice_extractionbeccali_2009, dwivedi_2012, faucher_2020, khanali_2020, sense_d2_1_2013, zimmer_2017
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023

pasteurised_puree_concentrateforward-investment

pulpingpasteurisationconcentration
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
pulpingCrushing + refining fruit/vegetable to a strained purée.pulpingeslami_2023, karakaya_2011, singh_1980
pasteurisationHTST heat treatment to stabilise the liquid.pasteurisationbeccali_2009, cacace_2020, eu_bref_fdm_2019, landi_2025, le_feon_2023
concentrationMulti-effect evaporation removing water to a target Brix.concentrationadal_2024, beccali_2009, zimmer_2017

plant_drinkforward-investment

plant_drink_processing
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
plant_drink_processingWet-milling + formulation of a plant-based drink.plant_drink_processingfloren_2013, grant_2018

protein_concentrate_pulse_routeforward-investment

separation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: protein_concentrate · tech: dry_fractionation_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020

protein_isolate_oilseed_routeforward-investment

oil_extractionseparation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
oil_extractionMechanical pressing / solvent extraction of crude oil + meal.
co-product: meal
oil_extractionbantacut_2025, bussa_2020, carre_2012, cheng_2018, demarco_2020, deng_2016, gaglio_2019, hise_1980, martinez_2013, martinez_2017, nilsson_2010, nopa_2024, proietti_2017, quinsac_2015, subramaniam_2010, yani_2022
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: wet_protein_isolate · tech: isoelectric_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020

protein_isolate_oilseed_route_dryforward-investment

oil_extractionseparationdrying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
oil_extractionMechanical pressing / solvent extraction of crude oil + meal.
co-product: meal
oil_extractionbantacut_2025, bussa_2020, carre_2012, cheng_2018, demarco_2020, deng_2016, gaglio_2019, hise_1980, martinez_2013, martinez_2017, nilsson_2010, nopa_2024, proietti_2017, quinsac_2015, subramaniam_2010, yani_2022
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: wet_protein_isolate · tech: isoelectric_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:spray
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

protein_isolate_pulse_routeforward-investment

separation
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: wet_protein_isolate · tech: isoelectric_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020

protein_isolate_pulse_route_dryforward-investment

separationdrying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: wet_protein_isolate · tech: isoelectric_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:spray
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

semolinaforward-investment

grain_milling
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
grain_millingRoller / disc milling of grain to flour / semolina / meal.grain_millinggoyal_2012_rice-milling, sabur_2019, uk_flour_millers_2024

spray_driedforward-investment

drying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

textured_proteinforward-investment

protein_extrusion
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
protein_extrusionLow- or high-moisture extrusion of protein isolate to texturate.protein_extrusionaimutis_2024, fang_2014_hmme_sme, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, saerens_2021_extrusion, smetana_2015, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion, smetana_2015, aimutis_2024, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion

textured_protein_oilseed_routeforward-investment

oil_extractionseparationdryingprotein_extrusiondrying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
oil_extractionMechanical pressing / solvent extraction of crude oil + meal.
co-product: meal
oil_extractionbantacut_2025, bussa_2020, carre_2012, cheng_2018, demarco_2020, deng_2016, gaglio_2019, hise_1980, martinez_2013, martinez_2017, nilsson_2010, nopa_2024, proietti_2017, quinsac_2015, subramaniam_2010, yani_2022
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: wet_protein_isolate · tech: isoelectric_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:spray
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020
protein_extrusionLow- or high-moisture extrusion of protein isolate to texturate.
tech: lm_extrusion
protein_extrusionaimutis_2024, fang_2014_hmme_sme, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, saerens_2021_extrusion, smetana_2015, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion, smetana_2015, aimutis_2024, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:hot_air
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

textured_protein_pulse_dry_routeforward-investment

separationprotein_extrusiondrying
StageDoesGenerator poolSources
separationMembrane UF or dry/wet protein fractionation of a feed stream.
co-product: protein_concentrate · tech: dry_fractionation_protein
separationaimutis_2024, berardy_2015, guyomarch_2025, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020, zimmer_2017, aimutis_2024, berardy_2015, cosucra_2024, heusala_2020, khanali_2020, lie_piang_2021, vogelsang_odwyer_2020
protein_extrusionLow- or high-moisture extrusion of protein isolate to texturate.
tech: lm_extrusion
protein_extrusionaimutis_2024, fang_2014_hmme_sme, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, saerens_2021_extrusion, smetana_2015, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion, smetana_2015, aimutis_2024, huang_2024_soy_extrusion_review, webb_2023_pea_wheat_soy_extrusion
dryingHot-air / drum / spray / freeze / sun drying to a storable moisture.
tech: drying:hot_air
dryingde_marco_2015_3, first_principles_solar_passive, goncalves_2023, iannone_2020, prosapio_2017, schuck_2015, ziegler_2020

Literature

Every source handle cited by a cascade stage, resolved against the shared literature library in lci-workbench/data/literature/. DOIs link to the published source.