Lantmannen, a Swedish agricultural cooperative and food manufacturer, has announced an investment of 1.2 billion SEK ($116.4 million) in a new facility in Lidkoping for the manufacture of plant-based proteins.
The new facility will process 35,000 tonnes of peas and 5,000 tonnes of faba beans (broad beans) into 7,000 tonnes of concentrated plant-based protein, also known as protein isolate, annually.
Commenting on the news, Magnus Kagevik, group president and CEO of Lantmsnnen, said: “We need to produce more food to supply the world’s growing population, and there is a global and long-term increasing demand for plant-based proteins as a food ingredient”.
Lantmannen Biorefineries head of the energy division Lars-Gunnar Edh added: “Lantmännen Biorefineries already produces wheat and oat protein in our facilities in Norrköping and Kimstad, and now we are taking another step by also using legumes as a protein raw material. We see a steadily increasing demand for plant-based proteins and together with our members, active Swedish farmers, want to be a leader in this development and production. It is a long-term investment for Swedish agriculture and Swedish food production”.
The plant is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027. The investment will reportedly generate around 30 new jobs.
Source: Lantmannen