Tate & Lyle increases capacity for added value oat ingredients

The expansion is part of a $100 million (€89m) investment in increasing capacity for specialty food ingredients which the company announced two years ago when it acquired Swedish oat beta-glucan manufacturer Biovelop.

The facility will see UK-based Tate & Lyle use its patented, chemical-free manufacturing process to transform locally sourced oats into added value ingredients, such as soluble fibre in the form beta-glucan under the brand name PromOat.

This is used in the food, beverage and supplement markets thanks to an European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)-backed approved health claim for lowering cholesterol and reducing post prandial glycaemic response.

Its PrOatein ingredient allows food manufacturers to tap into the trend for high protein foods, such as breakfast cereals, smoothies, baked goods, bars and sports shakes.

Joan Braca, president of specialty food ingredients at Tate & Lyle said the company has seen a continued rise in demand for oat ingredients across the world, fuelled by consumer demand for healthy foods.

“Through the expansion of our facility in Sweden, and our deep formulation expertise, we will be able to help our customers develop more products with health-benefit claims and functional benefits,”​ he added.

The expansion at the Kimstad factory has also seen the number of employees more than double in the past three years, it said.