From Vision to Reality – A Symbolic Start for the Pea Protein Factory
In the morning of April 25, a special atmosphere filled the air in Jelgava, as a time capsule, carrying a message for future generations, was symbolically sealed into the foundation of the new SIA “ASNS Ingredient” pea protein production facility, which is set to become one of the most advanced plant-based protein factories in the world.
This factory is our contribution to the development of Latvia’s business environment – not only for today, but also for future generations, emphasizes Edgars Ruža, Member of the Board of SIA “ASNS Ingredient”, noting that construction at the Jelgava site is progressing rapidly. “The warehouse framework is already completed, and active preparations are underway for the construction of the remaining buildings. The first production equipment will soon arrive in Latvia, and installation work will begin this summer. Once that is complete, we will proceed with meticulous equipment testing,” explains E.Ruža.
He points out that every element of the project has been carefully considered – from production innovations to locally sourced raw materials. “This is more than just a factory – it is a vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based future. The capsule is embedded not only in concrete, but also in our company’s values – responsibility, development, and the drive to make a meaningful contribution to the food industry in Latvia and beyond,” says E.Ruža.
The capsule was sealed in a ceremonial act by the “ASNS Ingredient” team, representatives from the Jelgava City Municipality, the Ministries of Agriculture and Economics, and project partners – marking a significant milestone in the development journey and expressing confidence that today’s vision will serve as the foundation for tomorrow’s success.
A total of €132 million is planned to be invested in the construction of the pea protein factory, including €53,6 million in financing from Latvia’s national development finance institution, “ALTUM”, through its “Large Investment Loan Program”. Of this amount, €20 million is provided as a capital discount loan, which can be partially written off upon successful project completion.
Reinis Bērziņš, Chairman of the Management Board at “ALTUM” emphasizes the value of the program. “The Large Investment Loan Program offers an attractive financing solution by allowing up to 30% of project costs to be written off, while encouraging businesses to achieve ambitious export and performance goals. The capital discount strengthens project viability and is a crucial support for bold, large-scale investments like the “ASNS Ingredient” factory, which stands out with its innovative, globally demanded products. To date, “ALTUM” has approved more than €100 million in financing under this program, supporting leading companies across various export-oriented sectors,” tells R.Bērziņš.
The “ASNS Ingredient” factory will process 70,000 tonnes of peas annually, producing protein isolate, starch, fiber, and protein concentrate – products that are in increasing demand worldwide. And yes – the peas will come from Latvian fields. “This means not only exporting high value-added products, but also creating closer ties with local farmers and opening up new growth opportunities for Latvian agriculture. From field to global market – this is a value chain rooted in quality, sustainability, and innovation,” notes E.Ruža.
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