Roquette opens plant protein center of expertise in Vic-sur-Aisne, France

Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and a pioneer of plant proteins, announces the opening of a center of expertise of 2,000 square meters on its site in Vic-Sur-Aisne (Hauts-de-France, France). Fully dedicated to plant protein, this center will enlarge the field of possibilities in terms of food innovation, new protein development and new production technologies. This R&D accelerator will enable Roquette to support its growth ambitions and make a greater contribution to the food revolution and the plant-based gastronomy.

The new center of expertise illustrates Roquette's strategy of making its Vic-sur-Aisne site a dedicated place for plant protein development. This center will be a major asset to design the future technological processes that will bring new plant protein properties. Expertise, innovation and technologies are critical to anticipate food market preferences and offer new gastronomic experiences.

The investment of €11 million in the new center of expertise will build on Roquette's 40 years' experience in the research and production of plant proteins. (Source: Roquette)

Besides extending its pea and wheat protein range, Roquette intends to introduce several new sources of protein every five years. This new asset offers enormous potential to test innovative ingredients, to further develop existing ones and to propose a tasty and nutritional plant-based cuisine for meat and dairy alternatives or specialized nutrition.

The 131 employees at the Vic-sur-Aisne site and a large number of local partners have worked hard since 2005 to become a major center of pea protein production in the world. The investment of €11 million in the new center of expertise will build on Roquette's 40 years' experience in the research and production of plant protein and will reinforce the group's position as a leader for food, nutrition and health markets.

According to Jeremy Burks, Senior Vice President of Plant Proteins at Roquette, “Being a leader in plant proteins requires both to build on past experience and to invest in future innovations. Developing plant proteins is one thing and adapting those developments to the needs of the customers and consumers is another. That's what Roquette does, and we are taking a large number of steps to accelerate our plant protein development thanks to a series of massive investments. With this R&D accelerator in Vic-sur-Aisne, a production site with an experience of 15 years that no one else has, we will bring plant-based innovation up to a new level. We are uniquely positioned to respond to what customers need as we strive to be the best partner for food innovators.”

To go further, Roquette has launched a huge investment program to ensure that the plant protein supply is secure, safe and sustainable. The Vic-sur-Aisne investment is part of this program of more than half a billion euros, which also includes the investment in a textured plant protein site in Horst (the Netherlands) and the construction of the world's largest pea protein plant in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba (Canada), which will start production before the end of 2021. Thanks to these global industrial capacities, Roquette will be uniquely positioned to serve global markets and better meet the growing demand for plant protein products.

The plant protein market is a highly attractive sector, and its strong growth reflects the demand for a new plant-based gastronomy offering delicious tastes, taking care of consumers' health and preserving the environment.