Ingredion, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions, continues to strive towards on-trend, healthy and sustainable specialty ingredients with combined strategic investments worth $140 million to accelerate the production of plant-based proteins globally.

These investments will accelerate production and expand the company’s portfolio of plant-based proteins, enabling total turnkey solutions for customers to grow in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Strategic investments
In February 2018, Ingredion purchased a soy processing facility in South Sioux City, Nebraska, USA, and is making significant capital investments to transform the site to produce protein isolates from peas, with expansion plans to include production of isolates from other pulses as well.

once the investments are completed, this facility will produce ingredients that enhance the company’s current Vitessence Pulse protein isolate line to include higher protein isolates primarily for the nutrition, health and wellness categories.

Ingredion has also entered into a joint venture agreement with Verdient Foods, Inc, a Canadian company based in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan. Investments are being made within the existing facility to make pulse-based protein concentrates and flours from peas, lentils and fava beans for human food applications.

Significance in APAC: One-stop total turnkey solutions for on-trend product innovation
Ingredion APAC opined that the plant-based protein trend, that has taken centre stage globally, was at its early onset in the region and set for further and sustained growth. The company has ready inventory and is expected to launch its new plant-based ingredient soon.

Its expanded manufacturing capabilities, extensive portfolio and footprint throughout APAC gives manufacturers a one-stop platform for ingredient solutions that deliver functional, sustainable and nutritional attributes, inclusive of non-GMO (genetically-modified organisms) and certified organic options.

Coupled with Ingredion’s textural and nutrition formulation expertise, customers can look forward to total turnkey solutions that can help them achieve new production innovations and on-trend concepts that address the rapidly-growing consumer demand for sustainable protein alternatives.

“The appeal for plant-based diets is palpable and we predict that this trend is set to go mainstream. More consumers are switching to plant-based diets for the associated health benefits, to meet their changing dietary needs or taste preferences, to do their part for the environment and animals. They are looking for products with clean and simple labels, health and nutrition benefits that taste great,” said Valdirene Licht, senior vice president and president, Asia-Pacific.

She added, “We are committed to partnering with customers to answer these expectations by combining our expertise in product formulation with the expanded plant-based product portfolio.”