Cargill has invested $75 million to accelerate the development of Puris, a US pea protein producer and supplier to plant-based burger maker Beyond Meat.

This follows the joint venture made between Cargill and Puris in January 2018.

Puris has said that Cargill’s recent investment will double pea protein production at their existing facility in Dawson, Minnesota.

Due to a growing consumer demand for alternative proteins with nutritional attributes, manufacturers are exploring the use of pea protein as an alternative to traditional protein sources.

Puris offers non GMO and organic pea protein with non major food allergen and vegan features.

Cargill and Puris intend to deliver on this demand by supplying ‘great tasting, sustainable and label-friendly pea protein’.

With a predicted operational start date of late 2020, the facility in Minnesota makes it the third operational facility owned by Puris in North America that solely focuses on pea protein production.

Laurie Koenig, Cargill texturisers and speciality lead said: “This investment also provides significant support to the local economy with approximately 90 new jobs and a new revenue stream for Midwest farmers.”

Puris converts peas into several ingredients, including pea protein, pea starch and pea fibre.

Tyler Lorezon, president of Puris said: ” 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.”

In response to this investment, governor of Minnesota, 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.”