cReal Food, which Lindéngruppen is the largest shareholder of, has this week inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility to produce innovative plant-based ingredients.
cReal Food has introduced a patented oat-based ingredient that offers food producers an alternative to conventional milk powder – cutting emissions by up to 78% while maintaining nutritional value and functional versatility. The new facility will support the company’s scale-up.
Lindéngruppen, together with other investors, backed the project with a 300 million SEK investment. The new production facility was completed in May 2025 at a site in Bjuv, Sweden.
Dairy production contributes nearly 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with milk powder playing a significant role across a wide range of food products. In the EU, skimmed milk powder production is projected to reach 1.5 million tonnes in 2025. According to a pre-LCA study conducted by Teknologisk Institut, cReal’s ingredient could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 78% compared to traditional milk powder. The facility will be fully automated and is designed to meet the global gold standard in food safety, BRCGS.
The ingredient is made using Swedish-grown oats and water and processed through a patented, zero-waste method. The result is a nutrient-rich powder solution, naturally high in protein, fibre, and beta-glucan. Oats, a climate-resilient crop, are currently underutilised in food applications despite their potential for sustainable food production.
“We see a real opportunity to improve how food is made – both from a sustainability and nutritional perspective,” says Christian Hjortholm Steffensen, CEO of cReal Food. “We aim to provide solutions that support manufacturers in meeting evolving demands while delivering great taste and affordability.”
cReal’s oat-based ingredient is replacing milk powder in a variety of applications, including ice cream, yogurt, chocolate, savory items, and baked goods. Its functionality and adaptability make it well-suited for widespread industry use. Products developed in partnership with food manufacturers are expected to be available in Swedish and Danish retail markets starting this summer.
cReal Food is a Swedish food-tech company focused on creating oat-based ingredients that offer a practical, climate-conscious alternative to dairy powders. The company works with local farmers and industry partners to support more resilient and resource-efficient food production that tastes great.
Photo: Lisa Wikstrand
