Cargill has invested an additional US$75 million in PURIS, the largest North American producer of pea protein. The investment enables PURIS to more than double its pea protein production using an existing 200,000 sqft facility in Dawson, , Minnesota (US).
This investment will position PURIS to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for its pea proteins, starches and fibres all grown and produced through its unique vertically integrated and transparent supply chain.
“This is more than a pea protein facility. This is the future of food. The Dawson facility will not only support PURIS farmers in the US with a crop that regenerates their land and that is sustainable because it provides soil health advantages but will also support the growing demand for great-tasting plant-based products in the market place. This investment will grant PURIS the ability to support more food companies, more farmers and more consumers faster,” said Tyler Lorenzen, PURIS President.
Laurie Koenig, Cargill texturizers and speciality lead, added: “This investment also provides significant support to the local economy with approximately 90 new jobs and a new revenue stream for Midwest farmers.”
“Our investment in pea protein not only enhances our diverse portfolio of high-quality ingredients but also expands our opportunity to work with customers to make products that use a variety of our ingredients to satisfy consumers around the world,” added Koenig.
Beginning with its proprietary, non-GMO pea seed, PURIS utilises its network of over 400 US farmers to grow the peas, which not only provide economic benefit to the farmers but also helps regenerate the soil. PURIS purchases the peas the farmers grow and turns the crops into pea ingredients, including pea protein, pea starch and pea fibre.
PURIS will now own and operate three facilities in the US solely focused on pea protein production: Turtle Lake, WI; Oskaloosa, IA; and Dawson, MN. With engineering complete on the Dawson facility, construction to retrofit it for pea production will start immediately, with an anticipated operational start date of late 2020.
Governor, Tim Walz, said: “Repurposing an existing facility for a new pea protein plant is an excellent example of the smart, sustainable innovation that has kept Minnesota on the forefront of the food production industry.”
Cargill announced its joint venture with PURIS in January 2018, with an initial investment of $25m that was used to add substantial capacity at the Turtle Lake, WI production facility. Pea protein broadens Cargill’s portfolio of alternative proteins, such as cell-cultured protein, to meet consumer dietary preferences.