Lantmännen launches NordPea pea protein to strengthen sustainable ingredients portfolio
A new US$111m Swedish processing facility will produce pea protein using locally grown crops, as Lantmännen and Ingredion target food manufacturers seeking high-quality, traceable and sustainably produced plant-based ingredients.
SWEDEN – Agricultural cooperative Lantmännen has launched NordPea, a premium pea protein isolate developed in partnership with US-based ingredient supplier Ingredion, as demand grows for sustainable plant-based proteins across the European food and beverage industry.
The ingredient is designed for plant-based food applications, including dairy alternatives, providing manufacturers with an additional protein option for developing products that meet changing consumer preferences for alternative protein sources.
NordPea will be manufactured at Lantmännen’s new €100 million plant protein facility in Lidköping, south-west Sweden.
The facility will have the capacity to process approximately 40,000 tonnes of peas and faba beans annually, strengthening the company’s domestic processing capabilities and supply chain.
The ingredient will be produced through a vertically integrated supply chain using peas cultivated by Lantmännen’s cooperative farmers in Sweden under established agricultural and sustainability standards.
The new facility has also received support from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s climate investment programme, reflecting efforts to encourage industrial investments that support more sustainable production.
Fredrik Krook, Managing Director of Biorefineries at Lantmännen, said NordPea would help address growing demand from European food and beverage manufacturers for high-quality pea protein produced through sustainable agricultural practices.
The company will officially introduce the ingredient at Food Ingredients Europe 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany, from November 17–19, where it will be showcased at stand 30J62 and featured in the event’s New Product Zone.
Lantmännen and Ingredion will also deliver a joint presentation on pea protein during the Exhibitor Showcase Theatre programme on November 17.
The launch comes amid wider investment in European plant protein production, as ingredient suppliers seek to improve local sourcing, processing capacity and product performance.
German seed breeder KWS recently introduced a European-sourced pea protein isolate developed from a yellow pea variety selected specifically for food applications.
The ingredient is produced from German-grown peas and processed within the European Union, with applications spanning protein beverages, nutritional products, dairy alternatives and protein-enriched foods.
Meanwhile, Israeli food technology company Meala FoodTech has expanded its pea protein manufacturing capacity across France and Germany, targeting applications in bakery and other food formulations.
The expansion is expected to provide sufficient production capacity to replace the functional equivalent of approximately 1,400 tonnes of eggs annually from 2027.
These developments highlight growing interest in pea protein as manufacturers seek ingredients that offer nutritional value, reliable sourcing and functional performance across different food categories.
For Lantmännen and Ingredion, NordPea adds another option to Europe’s expanding plant protein ingredient portfolio, while the Lidköping facility strengthens the connection between local agricultural production and industrial food manufacturing.
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