Veg of Lund, a company that develops potato-based vegan food and beverage products, has applied for a Swedish patent for a plant-based meat alternative.

The company, headquartered in Sweden, sells its plant-based food and drinks under the Dug brand name. The base for its products is a patented emulsion consisting of potatoes and rapeseed oil.

It has existing patents approved for its portfolio of potato-based milk alternatives in Sweden, the rest of Europe, the USA and Canada. It also has Swedish patents for its smoothies, cream and ice cream products.

Veg of Lund was born out of research at Lund University, with a mission to bring plant-based foods to consumers that can meet demands for taste and sustainability.

Eva Tornberg, one of the company’s founders and its current head of R&D, leads the company’s product development, drawing on her knowledge of emulsions to create plant-based foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and free from the 14 most common allergens listed by the Swedish Food Agency.

In a statement announcing the news, she said that the patent will secure Veg of Lund’s “unique competence” and will be an important step in commercialising its meat alternative product.

The company has ambitions to expand mainly in Europe and Asia, aiming to secure its position in ongoing commercial discussions with different partners following patent approval.

Helene Nielsen, the recently appointed CEO of Veg of Lund, said that its patented potato base allows the opportunity to develop a “unique product portfolio to change the food industry,” adding that opportunities are “enormous” in hotels, restaurants and catering.

“In recent months, we have established Dug in several countries, most recently in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Germany,” she commented. “I expect that we will soon be able to complete the list with distributors in several countries.”

With Nielsen as CEO, the company said it will introduce upgraded existing products and launch new products for a broader customer base.

Nielsen added: “Consumers want good plant-based food that is climate-smart, healthy and preferably free of allergens. Countries have strategies to reduce their climate impact and investors are looking for sustainable companies to be able to increase their return on invested capital.”

“Veg of Lund is definitely a part of this transition and must have a strong and independent position in the market, with patents enabling us to produce and deliver unique products on the global market. Unlike other crops, potatoes can be grown anywhere.”

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