Start your journey in alternative protein production

Customer stories

Leading Sweden’s transition to sustainable food through the upscaling of cultivated meat production

Can cultivated meat become a commercially viable contender in the race to safeguard the future of sustainably produced meat? Swedish startup Re:meat is firmly convinced that the answer is “yes” and has partnered with Alfa Laval and other companies in efforts to build an industry cluster to achieve just that.

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Lantmännen digs deep to launch an exciting new yellow-pea-processing initiative

Lantmännen, a cooperative owned by Swedish farmers, accelerate the ambition in finding innovative solutions to bridging the global protein gap. The gap reflects the imbalance between food demand and supply, which is being put under increasing pressure by a growing world population heading for 9.8 billion by 2050 (UN, 2024).

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Alfa Laval invests in Food Innovation Centre to reinforce contribution to the transformation of the global food system

Alfa Laval is establishing a world-class Food Innovation Centre in Copenhagen to help transform
the global food system. This facility will offer opportunities for collaboration across the food
innovation ecosystem, from proof of concept to industrial production. The centre aims to empower
innovators with cutting-edge technologies and insights to tackle the challenges of sustainable food production.

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Webinars

On-demand webinar: The future of novel food processing

Alternative proteins - plant-based, fermentation-derived, or cultivated - are rapidly advancing. Discover strategies for scaling up and best practices for resource-efficient, hygienic production to improve yield and profitability.

 

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On-demand webinar: Optimize your processes in our test facility

Join our webinar to see how we can help you optimize your processes. We will show cases of how we optimized set-up and processes for two 'new food' processing companies.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Testing and concept validation

Does Alfa Laval have pilot plants or test centres where we can test your systems using our own raw materials?

Yes, Alfa Laval has several test centres focused on different aspects of food production, including all core components for initial laboratory tests, pilot tests and, ultimately, full-scale production. You can test your solutions at our test centres in Denmark and Sweden, or choose remote testing options and rent units to carry out tests at your own facilities.

We are also aware of test beds and pilot plants equipped with Alfa Laval equipment that are open for testing and trials.

 

What testing capabilities does Alfa Laval offer?

Alfa Laval offers a wide range of options depending on your preferences. You can buy or rent all the necessary equipment to perform tests at your own facility, or visit our test facilities.

For example, our test centre in Kolding, Denmark focuses on hygienic fluid handling, with batch sizes ranging from 25 to 20,000 litres, and from laboratory scale to production scale.

 

What types of tests can be carried out?

Alfa Laval offers testing capabilities for a variety of needs, including all core components for initial laboratory tests, pilot tests and, ultimately, full-scale production. This includes, for example, separation, MBR filtration, evaporation and hygienic fluid handling.

 

What is a centrifugal test?

In food or protein separation applications, a centrifugal test usually refers to a centrifugal separation process used to evaluate how effectively components in a food mixture can be separated based on differences in their density. This method is commonly used in both research and industry to assess the behaviour of food materials under centrifugal force.

 

Does Alfa Laval offer rental units and the possibility to test at our facility?

Yes, you can rent or buy equipment for testing at your facility. We offer various options, including smaller units, for example for separation and MBR filtration tests.

 

Does Alfa Laval provide guidance during testing, or only the equipment?

Yes, we provide guidance during testing. Our team of application experts will be happy to support you when testing and developing new recipes and processes, or optimising existing ones.

 

Are the tests free of charge, or do they involve a cost?

Testing is not offered free of charge, and the cost varies depending on the type and duration of the test. There are different options, ranging from more affordable tests to working with the full process.

 

How is intellectual property protected during the testing process?

Intellectual property is typically protected through a mutual non-disclosure agreement.

 

Offering and solutions

Which systems are best suited to small-scale or pilot production of plant-based proteins from sources such as peas, broad beans or chickpeas?

For small-scale production and pilot production, Alfa Laval offers a range of specialised systems: Stand-alone pilot plants/LabStak™ modules – compact membrane filtration systems that are ideal for laboratory and pilot trials. PilotUnit Multi – a flexible pilot system for MF, UF, NF and RO processes that supports process development and scale-up. MultiSystem – a multifunctional membrane system designed for small-scale production with straightforward scale-up to full-scale industrial systems. All of these replicate the design of full-scale solutions, making it easy to move from testing to large-scale production.

 

Can Alfa Laval’s equipment handle a wide variety of raw materials, or is it optimised for specific protein sources?

Alfa Laval’s systems are highly versatile and designed to process a wide variety of raw materials. Our technology supports both oil crops (such as soybeans and rapeseed) and starch crops (including peas, chickpeas, broad beans, mung beans and more). From slurry preparation to decanters, separators, membrane filtration, pasteurisation and by-product recovery, our equipment can be configured to suit different raw materials. Each system is tailored for high yield, purity and operational efficiency, while remaining flexible for future scale-up.

 

How do Alfa Laval’s protein extraction and fractionation technologies compare in terms of yield and efficiency with other suppliers on the market?

Alfa Laval’s technology is developed for maximum yield and efficiency throughout the protein extraction process: Plant Protein Separation System – which combines our TopStream centrifuge and decanter – delivers higher yield, greater throughput, gentle product handling, continuous solids discharge and lower operating costs. The TopStream centrifuge significantly reduces energy consumption compared with conventional methods, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. Large-scale projects, such as Lantmännen’s facility in Sweden, demonstrate how our solutions enable full utilisation of the crop (protein, starch and fibres), ensuring higher efficiency and less waste. By optimising the process at system level, Alfa Laval ensures superior performance in both product quality and resource efficiency.

 

How does Alfa Laval’s technology help improve sustainability in alternative protein production (e.g. water, energy, waste)?

Sustainability is an integral part of Alfa Laval’s solutions for alternative protein production: Reduced water and energy use through efficient separation, membrane filtration and evaporation systems. Recovery of by-products such as starch and fibres, reducing waste and creating new value streams. Energy-efficient separation technologies such as the TopStream centrifuge and the decanter, which reduce energy consumption. Advanced evaporation systems (e.g. AlfaFlash) that reuse heat in multiple stages, saving energy. Full utilisation of raw materials to minimise waste and maximise output. Circular water use and wastewater recovery to reduce the need for fresh water and lower environmental impact. These features ensure that Alfa Laval’s customers can scale up plant-based protein production while reducing resource consumption and supporting a more sustainable food system.

 

Does Alfa Laval provide tools that support sustainability targets?

Yes. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Alfa Laval. We offer a specialised tool called the Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) Solution, which acts as a sustainability index calculator tailored to the food and beverage industry. This tool is designed to:

• Calculate the environmental impact of products from farm to retail.
• Analyse emissions, energy and water consumption, and waste.
• Simulate different sustainability strategies (e.g. equipment upgrades, process optimisation or sourcing decisions).
• Track sustainability performance across different product lines.
• Ensure compliance with Scope 3 reporting and other regulatory requirements.

 

Do Alfa Laval’s systems support closed-loop water or heat recovery systems in protein processing plants?

Yes. Our technology is designed to support circularity through closed-loop water recovery and heat integration. Solutions such as plate heat exchangers, energy-efficient evaporators and water recovery systems minimise energy consumption, reduce operating costs and lower environmental impact.

 

How modular are Alfa Laval’s systems – can we start small and scale up as we grow?

Alfa Laval’s systems are highly modular and scalable. Customers can begin with pilot or small-scale units and then expand capacity over time by adding modules or upgrading to larger systems. This ensures that investments remain future-proof while supporting growth and new product development.

 

Does Alfa Laval offer integrated turnkey solutions for end-to-end protein production lines, or should we expect to purchase several components separately?

Alfa Laval offers complete, integrated turnkey solutions for plant-based protein production – from raw material preparation to extraction, separation, concentration, purification and by-product recovery. Our core expertise lies in separation, heat transfer and fluid handling, but we also work closely with our partners and EPC companies to deliver smooth, comprehensive production lines.

 

Can Alfa Laval help us design a plant layout optimised for Alfa Laval’s plant-based protein production solutions?

Yes. Alfa Laval offers process and layout design support to help customers integrate our equipment into efficient, fit-for-purpose facilities. We combine our process knowledge with simulation tools, pilot trials and design expertise to ensure that plant layouts maximise productivity, sustainability and future scalability.

 

Can Alfa Laval’s systems support new product formats such as high-moisture meat alternatives or protein isolates for RTD drinks?

Absolutely. Our technology is flexible enough to produce a broad range of protein formats – from concentrates and isolates for use in ready-to-drink beverages and nutritional products to high-purity fractions that can serve as the basis for high-moisture meat alternatives. With the right process integration, Alfa Laval’s systems can be adapted to support new applications within the alternative protein sector.

 

Quality and regulations

Are Alfa Laval’s proposals aligned with regulations and compliance standards?

Alfa Laval’s test facilities and systems for food and beverage production are designed to comply with a broad range of regulations and standards, ensuring safety, hygiene and operational excellence (EHEDG, HACCP, ISO 22000, etc.).

 

Support

What level of technical support does Alfa Laval offer to start-ups in the food and beverage sector?

Alfa Laval offers extensive support for start-ups in alternative protein production, including plant-based, fermented and cultivated proteins. Early in the project lifecycle, start-ups can gain access to Alfa Laval’s protein and fermentation experts for guidance on process design and equipment selection, testing and concept validation.

 

Does Alfa Laval offer local service and support?

With service centres in more than 50 countries, Alfa Laval offers:

• On-site consultations to assess your current installation
• Remote support for performance monitoring and optimisation
• Access to regional engineering teams and food systems specialists

 

Are there any minimum requirements to be approved as a start-up partner by Alfa Laval?

No, there are no minimum requirements to become a partner. We want to explore all good ideas – large and small. What Alfa Laval looks for in a partner in the food sector is a focus on innovation, a commitment to sustainability, and a collaborative approach.

 

Financing and return on investment

Does Alfa Laval offer any tools or consultancy services to help calculate return on investment or the cost-effectiveness of investing in your systems?

Yes. Alfa Laval’s service teams offer advice on total cost of ownership (TCO) and ROI modelling. These services are tailored to help you maximise return on investment while ensuring compliance and sustainability in your food concept.

 

Are there flexible financing options or leasing models for start-ups with limited start-up capital?

Yes, Alfa Laval offers flexible financing and leasing options to support start-ups in the food and beverage sector, particularly those with limited start-up capital. There are many possibilities, from tailored payment plans to leasing models or deferred payment options. Contact us for a personalised proposal.