CAPTIVATE · Project

Small-Scale Malting System Lets Farmers Sell Premium Malt Instead of Cheap Barley

foodPilotedTRL 7

customlab.co.uk

Imagine you're a barley farmer, but instead of selling your grain cheap to a massive industrial maltster hundreds of miles away, you could turn it into premium craft malt right on your farm. That's exactly what CAPTIVATE built — a compact, automated malting system that any farmer can operate without being a malt specialist. Think of it like the craft coffee roaster revolution, but for barley. Farmers can now sell directly to the booming craft brewing and distilling market, keeping far more profit per tonne.

By the numbers

€53 billion

European beer industry annual revenue (2012)

2 million+

Jobs supported throughout the beer supply chain

79%

Global craft brewing annual growth rate

2.5 tonnes

Batch capacity of the scaled-up CAPTIVATE system

162

Jobs projected to be created

€48.4 million

Projected annual revenue by 2021

€18.8 million

Projected annual profit by 2021

30 years

Company experience in laboratory products

The business problem

What needed solving

Craft brewing is booming globally at 79% annual growth, yet brewers cannot easily source local, speciality malts because malt production remains centralised in a handful of industrial facilities. This forces farmers to sell barley at commodity prices and transport grain vast distances, while craft brewers pay premium prices for generic malt that does not differentiate their products.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered four key outputs: a full CAPTIVATE demonstration system (a 2.5-tonne modular craft malting unit for on-farm use), a benchtop analytics system for quality control, energy and carbon monitoring tools, and a marketplace tool connecting malt producers with buyers in the brewing, distilling, and food sectors.

Audience

Who needs this

Barley farmers wanting to move up the value chain by producing craft malt on-farmCraft breweries and micro-distilleries seeking local, traceable malt supplyAgricultural equipment distributors looking for new product linesFarm diversification consultants and rural development agenciesFood ingredient companies sourcing premium local malt

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Craft Brewing & Distilling

SME

Target: Craft breweries and micro-distilleries seeking local, traceable malt supply

If you are a craft brewer struggling to source local, speciality malts because production is locked up in a few industrial maltsters — CAPTIVATE developed a 2.5-tonne modular malting system designed for on-farm use. This means farmers in your region can produce high-quality malt locally, giving you a direct supply of distinctive, traceable ingredients. The craft brewing sector is growing at 79% a year globally, and this system helps you differentiate with genuinely local products.

Arable Farming

SME

Target: Barley farmers looking to move up the value chain

If you are a barley farmer getting commodity prices for your crop and watching margins shrink — this project built a cost-effective craft malt system you can operate on-farm without specialist training. Instead of selling low-value barley, you sell high-value malt directly to brewers, distillers, and food producers. The company behind it has 30 years of experience in laboratory and malting equipment, and the system was designed specifically for non-specialists.

Food Ingredients & Supply Chain

mid-size

Target: Regional food distributors and ingredient suppliers

If you are a food ingredient supplier looking for premium, locally-sourced malt products for the brewing, distilling, or baking sectors — CAPTIVATE created a marketplace tool connecting small-scale malt producers with buyers. The system includes benchtop analytics so every batch has quality data attached. With the European beer industry generating €53 billion in revenue and craft segments growing fastest, local malt is a product category with clear demand.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much does a CAPTIVATE malting system cost?

The project data does not include a specific unit price. However, the system was designed to be 'cost effective for on-farm use' under an SME Phase 2 commercialisation grant, suggesting it is priced for individual farmers and small operations, not industrial budgets. Contact the manufacturer for current pricing.

Can this system work at industrial scale?

The CAPTIVATE system processes 2.5 tonnes per batch in a modular design. It is deliberately not industrial-scale — it targets the gap between home-scale and massive industrial maltings. The modular approach means farmers can potentially add capacity over time, but the core value is small-batch, high-quality production.

Who owns the IP and can I license this technology?

Custom Laboratory Products Ltd (UK) is the sole consortium partner and likely holds all intellectual property. As an SME Phase 2 project, the company retains commercial rights. Licensing or purchasing inquiries should go directly to them.

Is the system proven or still experimental?

The project delivered a full CAPTIVATE demonstration system, a benchtop analytics system, and energy and carbon tools. The company had 30 years of prior experience and an existing earlier version of the system. This Phase 2 project specifically focused on refining, scaling up, and commercialising the technology.

What quality controls does the system include?

CAPTIVATE includes a benchtop analytics system delivered as part of the project, designed to give farmers reliable quality data on their malt production. The system was engineered to recreate the reliable, quality production of industrial maltings with high control suitable for non-specialists to operate.

Is there regulatory risk with on-farm malt production?

Based on available project data, the project does not specifically address regulatory approvals. Malt production for brewing and food use is subject to food safety regulations that vary by country. The marketplace tool and analytics system may help producers demonstrate compliance with quality standards.

How do I connect with buyers once I produce malt?

The project delivered a dedicated marketplace tool designed to connect craft malt producers with end buyers in the brewing, distilling, and food sectors. This directly addresses the route-to-market challenge that small-scale producers typically face.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project: Custom Laboratory Products Ltd, a UK-based SME with 30 years of experience in laboratory equipment. The 100% industry, 100% SME consortium is typical of SME Instrument Phase 2 grants, which fund individual companies to bring near-market innovations to commercialisation. There are no university or research partners, which signals this is a product development and market entry project rather than basic research. The company operates from the UK and has an existing product line, making them a credible commercialisation partner. With 1 partner across 1 country, all IP and commercial decisions are consolidated in one entity — straightforward for anyone looking to license or purchase the technology.

How to reach the team

Custom Laboratory Products Ltd (UK) — the sole partner and IP holder. Check their website or reach out via SciTransfer for an introduction.

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Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the team behind this on-farm malting technology? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction and help you evaluate fit for your operation.

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