Anchor Ingredients Co. LLC, a leading supplier of quality ingredients for the export, food and pet food industries, has broken ground on a pea protein facility in North Dakota.

The strategic investment will propel Anchor to a leading position in the rapidly expanding pulse ingredient space, according to the company. Anchor’s new pea fractionation facility will expand its capacity and help address the growing customer demand for plant-based proteins.

The facility in Buffalo, N.D., is strategically located for both the origination of peas as well as its proximity to Anchor’s end customer base. The facility will utilize the latest production technology and adhere to industry-leading food safety guidelines while producing dry-milled pea protein and pea starch, Anchor said. Construction has begun, and the company plans to commission the plant in late 2017.

The global demand for plant-based proteins, specifically pea protein, continues to grow in both the food and pet food markets as consumers look for alternative sources of protein. Pea protein is unique as it is a non-allergenic, gluten-free, grain-free, non-animal based protein source produced from a sustainable and environmentally friendly crop: field peas.

Anchor will continue its relationship with Vestkorn Milling, Europe’s leading supplier of pea protein concentrate. By having the ability to supply both imported and domestically produced pea protein, Anchor will be uniquely positioned to service its diverse customer base, the announcement said.

Anchor was founded in 2015 in partnership with The Arthur Companies to originate, process and distribute a wide range of safe, high-quality ingredients to the export, food and pet food industries. The company has a growing network of facilities in the Upper Midwest and is focused on value-added processing to offer its ingredient customers a true end-to-end supply chain.