Ingredion to Accelerate Growth in Plant-based Proteins

Ingredion has announced steps to accelerate production of plant-based proteins globally. The combined USD140m of strategic investments will further position the company with an expanded, broad range of plant-based protein solutions to support increased global demand. Two North American manufacturing facilities will produce pea-protein isolates and a range of pulse-based flours and concentrates in 2019.

The soy processing facility in South Sioux City, Nebraska, that Ingredion purchased in 2018 is being modified to produce protein isolates from peas with expansion plans to include production of isolates from other pulses as well. In addition, Ingredion has entered into a joint venture agreement with Verdient Foods, a Canadian company based in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, to use Verdient’s existing facility to make pulse-based protein concentrates and flours from peas, lentils, and fava beans for human food applications.

“We’ve identified plant-based proteins as a high-growth, high-value market opportunity that is on-trend with consumers’ desire to find sustainable and good tasting alternatives to animal-based proteins. Being a sustainable and trusted source of plant-based proteins provides us with another major ingredient platform to complement our offerings in clean label, wholesome, texture and nutritional ingredient solutions,” said Jim Zallie, Ingredion’s president and CEO.