Lantmännen: invests 105 million euros in protein plant

Stockholm / SE. (lg) With the investment in a new plant for plant-based protein Sweden’s Lantmännen Group is strengthening its position. The investment of SEK 1.2 billion (EUR 105 million) in the new plant for plant-based protein in Lidköping is the largest investment of its kind in Sweden, the Group said in its announcement. Today, plant-based protein is mainly used as an ingredient in vegetarian foods and beverages – such as vegetarian mince, hamburgers, sausages and liver pâté, but also in sports drinks, gluten-free pasta and bakery products.

The new plant will mainly produce plant-based proteins from peas but will also use faba beans as raw material. Approximately 35,000 tonnes of peas and about 5,000 tonnes of faba beans will be processed each year in the plant, and a total of 7,000 tonnes of concentrated plant-based protein, or so-called protein isolate, will be produced annually. The ambition is to contribute to increasing Swedish cultivation of peas by 50 percent – from about 80,000 tons of peas today to around 120,000 tons.

«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. The investment is an investment that will strengthen the entire value chain from farm to fork. This means new cultivation opportunities for farmers and creates conditions for increased Swedish food production and exports – which in turn is positive for Sweden’s food supply,» says Magnus Kagevik, Group President and CEO.

Lantmännen is strengthening its position in plant-based proteins

«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,» says Lars-Gunnar Edh, Head of the Energy Division.

Peas and field beans are climate-smart crops and beneficial to grow. They require relatively little water and plant nutrients, and they bind nitrogen in the soil and have many uses. In addition, by increasing the use of domestically grown plant-based proteins, the share of imported soy in Swedish food production can be reduced, which provides further sustainability benefits.

The plant in Lidköping is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027 and will contribute approximately 30 new jobs. Some details: