Lantmännen invests in yellow pea processing plant to enhance plant-based protein production

Lantmännen, a Swedish agricultural cooperative, has announced plans to build a food processing plant in Lidköping, Sweden, focusing on yellow pea and fava bean processing. The €105 million investment is unprecedented in Sweden and aims to strengthen the entire value chain from farm to table.

The facility will process approximately 35,000 tons of yellow peas and 5,000 tons of fava beans annually, producing around 7,000 tons of protein isolates for use in plant-based foods such as vegetarian mince, hamburgers, sausages, and pâté, as well as in sports drinks, gluten-free pasta, and bakery products.

Alfa Laval will supply the wet processing technology for the plant, including separators, decanters, and evaporators, to extract protein, starch, and fibers between milling and drying. Operations are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.

Magnus Kagevik, CEO & Group President of Lantmännen, stated, "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."

From a sustainability perspective, peas and field beans are climate-smart crops that require relatively little water and plant nutrients while binding nitrogen in the soil. This means increasing their use in plant-based production will bring environmental benefits, and within Sweden, it will also mean less reliance on imported soy, resulting in saved food miles.

The investment is expected to create new cultivation opportunities for farmers and conditions for increased Swedish food production and export, positively impacting Sweden's food supply.

Sumit Pingle, Vice President Agro & Protein Systems at Alfa Laval, noted, "Processing plants for the extraction of protein from yellow pea is gaining increased attention but only a few plants of this magnitude exist or are being built."

The new plant will complement Lantmännen's existing range of sustainable grain-based proteins from wheat and oats, reinforcing its position as a leading player in the Northern European market for plant-based proteins.

Lars-Gunnar Edh, Lantmännen’s Head of Energy Division, emphasized, "We see a steadily increasing demand for plant-based proteins and together with our members, active Swedish farmers, we want to be a leader in this development and production."

The facility's construction aligns with global efforts to bridge the protein gap, addressing the imbalance between food demand and supply amid a growing world population projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050.

By investing in this plant, Lantmännen aims to contribute to sustainable food production, meeting the increasing demand for plant-based proteins while supporting Swedish agriculture and reducing environmental impact.