Through a partnership with Nutra Regenerative Protein Co (NRPT), Plant & Bean has invested in the opening of a new plant-based meat factory in Ayutthaya, Thailand.
NRPT itself was formed via a joint venture between Thailand-based food-tech companies Innobic and Nove Foods. An initial agreement with Plant & Bean was announced in 2021, with NRPT investing 51% and Plant & Bean investing 49%, for the establishment of the new facility under the name Plant & Bean Thailand.
The factory will manufacture plant-based protein products for the Southeast Asian region as well as Australia and New Zealand. It boasts a maximum production capacity of 25,000 tons and has now entered its first phase of operations, expected to produce 3,000 tons of plant-based food per year.
According to Buranin Rattanasombat, COO of the New Business and Infrastructure Group at Innobic owner PTT, it is the first and largest 100% plant-based food factory in Thailand. Products produced at the factory will be divided into two types: ready-to-cook food, such as minced meat and meatball alternatives, and ready-to-eat food, such as sausage, nuggets and gyoza.
“Produced using world-class technology, the product has a texture, taste and appearance similar to real meat – delicious, and easy to eat,” said Rattanasombat. “The product also comes from plants that have not been genetically modified (non-GMO) and are high in protein. This is in line with the goal of developing [healthy] food innovations, causing consumers to consume more plant-based protein foods.”
He added that NRPT is cooperating with other future food producers in Thailand, aiming to create demand for production volumes from abroad as well as bringing in local raw materials to expand production for the future. The factory also uses solar energy to produce electricity for use in the production process, reducing costs and CO2 emissions.
Plant & Bean, established in 2019, faced a difficult year as it was announced the company had entered administration in June 2023. As reported by The Plant Base last year, the UK-based business hit a rocky period following operational issues and inflation across its cost base, eventually leading to the appointment of administrators from Interpath Advisory.
Plant & Bean’s UK manufacturing facilities were bought by entrepreneur and Vbites founder, Heather Mills, the following month. In a statement, Mills said that she was determined to ensure that the site would be kept as a meat-free factory.
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