Roquette, a company with facilities in countries around the globe, celebrated the opening of the world's largest pea protein plant today in Manitoba.

The company supplies the main ingredient in many of the new plant protein products being introduced around the world.

"We see this as a transformational event in our history and a boost to the global plant-based food sector," said Jeremy Burks, senior vice president of plant proteins at 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."

The region around the plant at Portage La Prairie produces more peas than any other in the world, all within a day's drive of the plant, said Roquette.

With easy access to the United States and international markets by road, rail and air, the new plant is the largest player in a region becoming known as the "Silicon Valley of Plant-Based Protein."

"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," said Burks.

"The plant protein food sector needs investment, expertise and innovation to meet global demand, and Roquette brings it all. We've seen excitement from new and existing customers who can't wait to develop new products with us."

With this new facility, Roquette has largely exceeded the half a billion euros investment in plant proteins it had targeted in the period 2015-2020. This includes equity investments, acquisitions, upgrades to the plant in Vic-sur-Aisne, France and the new plant in Manitoba.

The 200,000-square-foot-plant has the capacity to process 125,000 tons of yellow peas per year.

Dominique Baumann, managing director of Roquette in Canada, said "this plant is an engineering marvel. We are entering into the next level of quality, efficiency and commitment to the market. 

"The design of the plant is a proof-point of our sustainable development approach, with 100 per cent hydroelectricity power and optimized water management. 

"This plant is part of a whole story, involving farmers, suppliers and local teams."