Ingredion Inc., an ingredient provider, and Lantmannen, a Swedish agriculture cooperative, have announced a long-term partnership to develop a portfolio of plant-based protein isolates derived from locally sourced yellow peas in Europe.

The alliance intends to boost enterprise sales, product innovation, as well as process improvement skills. Additional objectives include meeting consumer demand for healthier, plant-based proteins as well as to serve Europe's burgeoning alternative protein industry.

Lantmannen plans to invest over 100 million (approx. USD 105 million) in a new pea and fava bean protein facility in Lidkoping, Sweden, by 2027.

Lars-Gunnar Edh, CEO of Lantmannen Biorefineries, said that Ingredion's market reach and expertise in process engineering and product development would complement Lantmannen's vertically integrated production capabilities.

Ingredion recently introduced new products like a corn starch ingredient for vegan cheese, two clean-label citrus fibre ingredients for meat as well as dairy alternatives, and a pea protein ingredient for cold-pressed bars. Meanwhile, Lantmannen has similarly collaborated with PAN Sweden, a research centre that studies plant-based protein processing for nutritious products.