peas

Lantmännen

© Lantmännen
Protein

EIB Backs Lantmännen’s Pea Protein Facility in Sweden as Part of EU’s Sustainable Protein Strategy

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed a loan of EUR 50 million to Lantmännen, a leading Swedish agricultural cooperative, to support the construction of a pea protein processing plant in Lidköping, Sweden. This investment is designed to bolster food security and reduce the European Union’s reliance on imported proteins, aligning with the EU’s broader goals of enhancing self-sufficiency in plant-based protein production and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The new facility, expected to be completed by mid-2027, will have an annual processing capacity of more than 40,000 tons of peas, primarily sourced from Lantmännen’s farmer members. The plant will produce pea protein isolate, a key ingredient for plant-based foods such as protein bars, drinks, dairy alternatives, and meat substitutes. The investment is also anticipated to …

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Arvesta

© Arvesta
Ingredients

Arvesta Launches Benelux’s First Plant-Based Protein Facility, Boosting Local Farming and Innovation

Arvesta, a full-service partner for the agricultural sector, announces the official opening of ‘Nuverta’, its innovative protein facility in Mettet, Belgium. Arvesta states that the facility is unique in Belgium and the Benelux, marking an important milestone in its mission: ‘From Field to Future’. The special feature of this protein plant is its ability to produce high-quality vegetable protein concentrates from local raw materials such as yellow peas. This is intended to create new income models for farmers and ensure the production of healthy, local, plant-based products. Vegetable protein concentrates from local raw materials The new protein plant in Mettet produces high-quality vegetable protein concentrates from local raw materials, in this case yellow peas. The project contributes to the sustainable production of animal and human …

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Researchers at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute IVV have developed a legume-based alternative to egg white foam to make plant-based food "light and airy."

© Fraunhofer IVV
Egg Alternatives

German Researchers Unveil Legume-Based Alternative to Egg White Foam

Researchers from the LeguFoam project at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute IVV have developed a legume-based alternative to egg white foam to make plant-based food “light and airy.” Initial assessments measuring the longevity of the egg-free foam showed that the new ingredient matches the quality of egg whites, while sensory tests revealed that it is tasty enough. Only individuals with refined palates detected a slight difference, the Fraunhofer Institute explains in the announcement. “More and more people are consciously maintaining a healthy diet and also looking for ethically unproblematic vegan products. We are addressing this need with the LeguFoam project,” Dr. Maike Föste, senior research scientist in the Food Process Development department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, commented. Peas, lentils, and high-pressure …

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COSUCRA's banner advertising its agricultural activities

Image credit: COSUCRA FB
Agriculture / Agribusiness

COSUCRA Raises €45M for Nutrition-Boosting Chicory and Pea-Based Ingredients

COSUCRA, a Belgian leader in plant ingredients, has secured €45 million to fund its environmental, social, and economic transition, including the reduction of its carbon footprint and increased production of sustainable chicory and pea-based ingredients. Founded in 1852 in Warcoing, Belgium as a sugar producer, COSUCRA now pioneers healthy ingredients derived from local chicory and peas for the growing clean label and healthy food market. Its portfolio offers naturally sourced ingredients, including pea protein and chicory fiber, that the company claims have nutritional boosting capacities, improving product profiles. Sofiprotéol, Wallonie Entreprendre, and the Société Fédérale de Participations et d’Investissement (SFPIM) subscribed to the funding round and now join COSUCRA as minority shareholders. Transforming tomorrow’s food “We are delighted that such professional investors as Sofiprotéol, Wallonie Entreprendre, …

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Green peas in close up

© fydorov-stock.adobe.com
Agriculture / Agribusiness

The Pea Project: £1 Million Mission to Replace Soy’s Reign With “Flavourless” Peas in the UK

A £1 million climate-smart project in the UK will research new pea varieties to sustainably produce a local and reliable pea protein source to replace soy in human food.  The Pea Project is a collaboration between grass and forage seed specialist Germinal and seed breeders. It is part-funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Pathway via Innovate UK, which is part of UK Research and Innovation. Germinal will deliver the project with IBERS at Aberystwyth University, the John Innes Centre, and PGRO.  Replacing soy with UK protein The programme also aims to reduce the country’s reliance on soy imports, reaching four million tonnes annually for use in human and animal feeds. Innovate UK states vegan and vegetarian foods use half a million tonnes.  Peas are suited to the UK …

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Fish fingers Meatless BV

©Meatless BV
Investments & Acquisitions

BENEO to Acquire Meatless BV, Supplier of Textured Pea, Fava, Wheat Proteins

Südzucker subsidiary BENEO is to acquire Meatless BV, a Dutch producer of texturized plant proteins from rice, quinoa, pea, fava, wheat and lupins. Meatless has supplied the food industry with such proteins for over 15 years. Südzucker Group states that plant-based proteins are a current focus and that the acquisition of Meatless supports Südzucker’s goal of evolving from a large-scale processor of agricultural raw materials to a leading partner for plant-based solutions. The move closely follows the news from earlier this month that its subsidiary BENEO will open a €50 million fava bean plant in Germany to meet the growing demand for plant-based proteins. Founded in 2005, Meatless has developed a unique process that enables the production of plant texturates in a manner that results …

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roquette-food-hamburger

Image courtesy of Roquette
Ingredients

Study Proves “Exceptional” Nutritional Qualities of Pea Protein

French plant-based ingredients specialist Roquette reports it has proven the “exceptional” properties of pea protein through the results of a recent DIAAS (Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score) study on its pea protein. The assessment of nutritional quality of proteins combines factors of digestibility and the composition of amino acids. According to the new study, pea protein concluded with a DIAAS score of 100, as it offers a balanced amino acid profile and an excellent digestibility that fully responds to consumers’ nutritional needs. The plant protein specialist claims that it is the first key player in the pea protein market to use this method, recommended by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) of the United Nations. Pea as a “key enabler” In an interview with vegconomist, …

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MIGHTY founders, Tom and Nick Watkins

Image courtesy of Mighty
Investments & Finance

Mighty Plant-Based Milk Raises £8M for International Expansion

Mighty plant-based milk has raised £8 million in new capital as the fast-growing UK alt dairy brand looks to invest in international expansion. Mighty will also launch its new cutting-edge fermentation technology as it looks to lead the next generation of plant-based milks.  Pea-based pioneers Originally known for its pea-based milks, Mighty has expanded its product range which now features oat-based products, vegan protein powders, and shakes. Mighty has the goal of simplifying and democratising the plant-based milk segment, with the brand’s research showing over 70 different types of plant milk on the market, from soy- to potato-based. This complexity of choice, Mighty believes, can prove a barrier to entry for first-time buyers.  The Yorkshire-based brand now has its sights set on expanding into EU …

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pea plants on a sunny day

© DSM
Investments & Finance

DSM to Acquire Vestkorn Milling, Europe’s Leading Pea & Bean Producer, For €65 Million

DSM to acquire Vestkorn Milling, leading producer of pea and bean ingredients for plant-based protein products, for an enterprise value of €65m. Dutch multinational corporation Royal DSM announces today that it is to acquire Norway’s Vestkorn Milling, the leading European producer of ingredients from peas and beans, producing Textured Pea Protein, Textured Faba protein, Pea Protein, Faba Protein, Pea Fibre, Pea Starch and flours from peas and beans. The company supplies its proteins, starches and dietary fibres to makers of plant-based foods, pet food and animal feed. The acquisition, according to DSM, is a further step in the company’s strategy to build an alternative protein business and will provide synergy with DSM’s innovative CanolaPRO™ rapeseed protein isolate, which will commercially launch next year. Subject to …

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PURIS Pea Protein

©PURIS
Market & Trends

Market Report Reveals Two Key Categories For Pea Protein Growth as Global Production Ramps up

Future Market Insights (FMI)‘s latest report on the pea protein ingredients market reveals two key categories for growth in the pea protein ingredients market. At the same time, leading pea protein suppliers PURIS and Roquette are ramping up production to meet future demand. The pea protein market grew at a 6.4% CAGR between 2016 and 2020. Increasing awareness regarding the benefits of pea protein ingredients has accelerated the sales to be poised to total US$ 1.25 Bn in 2021. Apart from health benefits, the pea protein ingredients market is poised to expand at a 7.2% CAGR between 2021 and 2031 as a result of the growing trend for veganism across the globe, with the fastest-growing vegan populations localized in the US, India, the UK, and …

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Roquette peas

Image courtesy of © Roquette
Company News

French Plant-Based Producer Roquette Will Open “World’s Largest” Pea Protein Plant in Canada

French plant-based ingredients specialist Roquette is to open what it claims to be the world’s largest pea protein plant in Canada. Together with its plant in France, the company aims to achieve unrivaled pea protein production on both sides of the Atlantic and consolidate its position as a key player in the current global food revolution. As Canada grows more peas than any other country in the world, Roquette is looking to establish itself in the Manitoba region which is becoming the “Silicon Valley of Plant-Based Proteins,” according to the company. This project is part of Roquette’s global half a billion euros investment program to ensure a secure, safe, and sustainable supply of plant proteins.   When combined with its plant in Vic-sur-Aisne, France, Roquette’s pea-processing …

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©Good Mills Innovation

Products & Launches

GoodMills Innovation Raises the Sensory Qualities of Alt Meat & Fish to a “New Level” With VITATEX Texturates

Germany’s GoodMills Innovation, part of the GoodMills Group, Europe’s leading milling corporation, introduces VITATEX texturates based on wheat, soy and peas, for fish and meat substitute products. The company states that the texturates are perfect for alt seafood products such as plant-based tuna, fish fingers, pan- or deep-fried fish, and are optimally suited for the frozen food sector. “Whether it’s fish & chips, fish fingers or fishcakes, all of these specialities can be readily converted into vegan form with VITATEX®”, says the Hamburg based firm. As well as the applications in seafood alternatives, the texturates can be applied to alt meat products such as vegan patties, meatballs, Bolognese sauce, chicken nuggets, Vienna sausages, or schnitzels. After working with wheat texturates for around a decade, GoodMills …

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Benson Hill

© Benson Hill
Agriculture / Agribusiness

What Benson Hill’s $2B Public Valuation Means for Alt Protein

Benson Hill plans to go public in a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in a deal valuing the St. Louis-based plant-tech firm at $2 billion. Benson Hill is developing gene-edited and selectively bred versions of crops used in alt protein products, with the deal’s expected $625 million capital raise accelerating Benson Hill’s ability to drive down plant-based food costs.  With the commercial production of its ultrahigh-protein soybean and yellow-pea protein concentrate set to begin next year, Benson Hill says it can develop soy and pea crop breeds that mature faster, have higher protein content, or taste better, thus saving time and resources in the production of alt protein products. SPACs are shell companies that raise funds through an IPO to take a private …

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Novo Farina Simpleas Snacks_Simpleas Mince

©Novo Farina
Investments & Finance

Pea Protein Pioneer Novo Farina Secures £3M Funding Round Led By Billionaire Richard Koch

Pea protein producer Novo Farina Ltd announces it has raised in excess of £3 million from private investors led by billionaire Richard Koch, the author and investor behind ventures such as Filofax, Belgo, Plymouth Gin, Betfair, Fanduel, and Auto1. The Norfolk UK company uses whole yellow peas for its portfolio which includes its lead product INovo-TexTM – a texturised pea protein for meat alternatives, Pea Flour and Pea Crumb,  for the food manufacturing industry, food services and retail, as well as its first end product launched last year – Simpleas Snacks, which are stocked by WHSmith, East of England Co-op, Amazon and independent retailers. Koch noted today, “I am delighted to invest in Novo Farina, which has a unique series of healthy and ecologically sound …

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Equinom pea

©Equinom

Agriculture / Agribusiness

GoodMills collaborates with Equinom for Unique Pea Variants Created With Artificial Intelligence

As the global pea protein market size is projected to grow from $745 million in 2020 to $1,400 million by 2025, GoodMills, Europe’s largest milling company, announces a new collaboration with Equinom, the plant tech company that creates new seed varieties using patented AI-driven breeding technology. Equinom creates superior seeds naturally by crossbreeding exotic, ancient and modern varieties. Utilising its seed bank, Equinom employs computer-based breeding and traditional genomic technologies to predict and simulate new varieties. Equinom reports it will research how best to crossbreed Yellow Pea seeds to achieve a tailored raw material with outstanding sensory properties: the ingredients derived from it are expected to be without off-flavours and provide ideal protein composition for an outstanding texture in finished products such as meat and …

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Protein Industries Canada

©Protein Industries Canada
Society

Protein Industries Canada Invests in the Development of High-Protein Pea Varieties to “Revolutionize the Plant-Based Ecosystem”

Protein Industries Canada is an industry-led supercluster founded to position Canada as a global leader for high-quality plant protein. The mission of the not-for-profit organization is to invest collaboratively in plant-based projects to ensure the competitiveness of the Canadian plant-based sector.

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PURIS Pea Protein

©PURIS
Company News

Beyond Meat’s Protein Supplier Puris Receives Additional $25 Million From Undisclosed Investor

As we reported last summer, global agriculture corp Cargill invested $75 million in PURIS, the largest North American producer of pea protein and key supplier to Beyond Meat. It was recently revealed that Puris has just received an additional $25 million which apparently has come from an undisclosed source.

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