Ingredion, Lantmännen announce collaboration to boost plant protein production
EUROPE – Ingredion has entered a long-term agreement with agricultural cooperative Lantmännen to address the growing demand for plant-based protein ingredients.
The partnership is set to focus initially on producing high-quality pea protein isolates for the European market.
Lantmännen plans to invest over US$100 million in constructing a production facility in Sweden, which will specialize in developing yellow pea-based protein isolates.
The facility is expected to be operational by 2027, marking a significant step in advancing sustainable and competitive plant protein production.
The collaboration will encompass various aspects, including sales, product development, and improving processing techniques.
Ingredion’s role will leverage its expertise in product innovation and engineering processes, while Lantmännen’s vertically integrated production capabilities will support the manufacturing operations.
Mike O’Riordan, Ingredion’s senior vice president for texture and healthful solutions in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, talked about the collaboration’s importance in strengthening Ingredion’s market presence in Europe.
“This partnership with Lantmännen allows us to expand our reach in the European market and aligns with our strategy to lead in the plant-based protein sector,” O’Riordan said.
Lars-Gunnar Edh, Lantmännen’s executive vice president for the energy sector and acting managing director of Lantmännen Biorefineries, described the collaboration as an opportunity to transform the plant protein market.
“Ingredion brings extensive market knowledge and expertise in engineering and product development, which complements our production capabilities. Together, we aim to deliver innovative and high-quality pea protein isolates,” Edh explained.
The partnership comes amid rapid growth in the global plant protein market, which was valued at US$13.27 billion in 2022.
Industry projections suggest the market will reach US$25.53 billion by 2030, driven by increasing consumer interest in sustainable and plant-based foods.
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