Lantmännen Invests in Groundbreaking Plant-Based Protein Plant Powered by Alfa Laval

Lantmännen Invests in Groundbreaking Plant-Based Protein Plant Powered by Alfa Laval

(IN BRIEF) Lantmännen, a Swedish cooperative owned by farmers, is tackling the global protein gap by investing 105 million euros in a groundbreaking plant-based protein processing facility in Lidköping, Sweden. The plant, powered by Alfa Laval technology, will focus on processing yellow peas, a relatively new crop for large-scale production. This initiative aligns with the increasing global demand for plant-based proteins, used in vegetarian and gluten-free products, and aims to reduce reliance on imported soy. The plant will produce 7,000 tonnes of protein isolates annually and strengthen Sweden’s position as a leader in sustainable food production. Alfa Laval’s equipment will be crucial for the extraction process, helping to meet growing demand for plant-based proteins.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUND, 9-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Lantmännen, a cooperative owned by Swedish farmers, is accelerating its efforts to address the growing global protein gap. This gap reflects the increasing demand for food as the world population is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050 (UN, 2024). In response to this challenge, Lantmännen has made a pioneering move by investing approximately 105 million euros in a state-of-the-art food processing plant located in Lidköping, Sweden. Powered by Alfa Laval technology, this investment marks an unprecedented step in Sweden’s agricultural sector and will primarily focus on processing yellow peas, an emerging ingredient in plant-based production.

Magnus Kagevik, CEO and Group President of Lantmännen, emphasizes the importance of the initiative: “To meet the demands of the growing global population, we must increase food production. Plant-based proteins are becoming a key ingredient in this transformation. This investment strengthens the entire value chain from farm to table, creating new opportunities for Swedish farmers and contributing to Sweden’s food supply and exports.”

From a sustainability standpoint, peas and field beans are regarded as climate-friendly crops. They require minimal water and nutrients while enriching the soil by binding nitrogen. As a result, expanding the use of peas in plant-based production offers significant environmental benefits, including reduced reliance on imported soy and fewer food miles within Sweden.

The demand for plant-based proteins is on the rise, driven by their use in vegetarian foods, sports drinks, gluten-free pasta, and bakery products. The new plant will position Lantmännen as the leading player in Northern Europe for plant-based proteins, complementing their existing portfolio of sustainable grain-based proteins derived from wheat and oats.

Lars-Gunnar Edh, Head of the Energy Division at Lantmännen, states, “We are seeing a steady increase in demand for plant-based proteins, and we aim to be at the forefront of this development, working closely with our Swedish farmer members. This investment represents a long-term commitment to Swedish agriculture and food production.”

Sumit Pingle, Vice President of Agro & Protein Systems at Alfa Laval, highlights the significance of the project: “Such projects are rare but crucial, and Lantmännen’s bold investment decision reflects their long-term vision. Alfa Laval is committed to playing our part in ensuring its success.”

Alfa Laval will contribute to the ‘wet’ processing operations at the plant, where protein, starch, and fibers will be extracted through advanced equipment, including separators, decanters, and evaporators. The facility is slated to begin operations in the first half of 2027 and will produce around 7,000 tonnes of protein isolates annually from 35,000 tonnes of yellow peas and 5,000 tonnes of fava beans.

Pingle adds, “While protein extraction from yellow peas is gaining traction, few plants of this scale exist. Alfa Laval’s extensive expertise and equipment allowed us to conduct extensive testing in Denmark, simulating the entire process. The scale of this investment and the focus on yellow peas represent a significant leap forward for the plant-based protein industry.”

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SOURCE: Alfa Laval