Roquette inaugurates ‘world’s largest’ pea protein plant

Roquette has opened what it claims is the world’s largest pea protein plant, to serve growing global demand for alternative proteins.

With capacity to process 125,000 tons of yellow peas each year, the new 200,000-square-foot plant in Manitoba, Canada, marks Roquette’s biggest North American investment to date.

Roquette works with food companies to develop new plant-based products and solutions, and is aiming to help meet ‘surging’ global demand for alternative proteins with its new facility.

The company’s Nutralys pea protein can be used to make a range of food products, including meat alternatives, nutrition bars, and plant-based biscuits and beverages.

The new pea protein plant is situated in Portage la Prairie, just outside Winnipeg, in a region the company says “produces more peas than any other in the world”.

Roquette – which also has a pea protein plant in France – now has capacity to process 250,000 tons of peas every year.

“We see this as a transformational event in our history and a boost to the global plant-based food sector,” said Pierre Courduroux, CEO of Roquette.

“Diets have changed considerably in recent years, and the desire for alternative proteins continues to grow. Our company is proud to bring this amazing new facility online to serve demand in North America and around the world.”

Jeremy Burks, senior vice president of plant proteins at Roquette, added: “The pandemic has led to stronger consumer demand for plant-based proteins while also disrupting global supply chains. This plant will help our customers move forward rapidly on product development.”