Home Solutions Processing Applications Beverages Plant-based beverages

Processing of plant-based beverages

The plant-based category is growing rapidly, especially in Europe and North America. With our unrivalled application knowledge and proven processing technologies, we can help you capture a share of that growth.​​

Experienced partner in production of plant-based beverages

Tetra Pak is the global market leader in solutions for the production of plant-based beverages, and our understanding of the category is deepening every day. Drawing on over 35 years’ experience in soy beverage production, we support your business all the way from initial idea to commercial production…and beyond. 
We offer a complete portfolio of technologies, whether you want to start from beans, grains, flakes, flour, powder or concentrate. With our innovative extraction unit, there is no need for pre-soaking.

Fast-track your innovation

Is your current focus on traditional dairy, or high-acid products like juices and nectars? Or maybe you’re a soy beverage manufacturer looking to extend your offering? Regardless of your starting point, we invite you to one of our specialised product development centres (PDCs) to explore new opportunities with us.​

If you have an idea for a new plant-based beverage, we can support your recipe development and suggest the right process for your new product. Our centres are equipped with processing technologies, advanced testing capabilities and food technologists to support your product trials. But why stop at beverages? There’s a whole world of opportunities to explore in plant-based ​dairy-style products such as yoghurt, cooking cream, cheese and ice cream.​​

The role of ingredients and process control

Plant-based yoghurt-style products

Plant-based products are on a roll. They’re popular with customers but difficult to perfect. Download our white paper and learn how you can quickly develop a formulation and processing capacity for this growing and lucrative product area.
Download paper to learn more⁠
Three glass whit plant-based yoghurt-style with granola and fruits on top

Oat-based beverages

Our research shows great potential in this category. A range of different consumer trends are currently converging to make oat beverages extremely popular — sustainability, health, vegetarianism, lactose concerns and animal welfare all play a role.

Consumed as a morning food supplement or as snacks throughout the day, oat-based products can command prices up to five times that of ordinary milk. Thanks to a wealth of expertise in low acid, aseptic technology and many years of soy production, we have the knowhow to help you succeed in the oat-based beverage category. Our equipment portfolio covers extraction, mixing, UHT treatment, aseptic storage and filling. And we can configure complete lines from product formulation to heat treatment and packaging — all based on your product ambitions and formulations.
Read our white paper Oat-based beverages – processing challenges & techniques​​⁠
Oat-based beverage in glass

Pea-based opportunities

Thanks to their high protein content, pea-based products are currently gaining in popularity. They’re a great option for vegans, or indeed anyone who’s looking for alternative, plant-based protein sources. Although we’re quite new to peas (everyone is) we have a plenty of relevant experience in other plant-based beverages. And we’re currently conducting experiments to deepen our understanding of, for example, how temperature and processing times affect protein content. We look forward to exploring new pea-based applications with you and helping you grow with the market. Talk to your local Market Company about the opportunities in pea-based beverages
Green pea and apple beverage

Rice-based products

Rice grain is an inexpensive and widely available ingredient, but its high starch content can make rice-milk challenging to produce. Take advantage of our application knowledge and advanced processing equipment to achieve the best results We work together with you through all stages from sample recipes to commercial production, making sure your end product has the optimal taste and texture for your consumers.
Read our white paper: The RNGS stability test – a refined method for assessing shelf life stability of RNGS beverages⁠
Rice milk in glass

Soy-based resurgence

With a protein content comparable to that of dairy, soy is the biggest plant-based category and growing steadily around the world. Pioneers of the no-soak production method, Tetra Pak has many decades of soy processing experience. We offer whole processing lines to extract and process soy, and we fully understand the importance of parameters like protein yield, fiber separation, sedimentation and enzyme deactivation in producing the perfect soy beverage. Learn more about our soy extraction unit.

At the Tetra Pak Centre of Expertise for Soy & Tea in Singapore, you’ll find a team of world class specialists. We invite you to take advantage of their unrivalled knowledge in this area to help you broaden and revitalise your soy-based product range. Talk to your local Market Company about the opportunities in soy-based beverages.
Find all Market companies⁠
Soy extraction line

Best-practice lines for plant-based beverages

Best Practice line for soy - soy extraction line

Best Practice line for soy - soy extraction line

Starting from whole or dehulled beans, this extraction line integrates grinding, fibre separation, and enzyme deactivation, ensuring a high protein yield and full control over product flavour – from beany to non-beany. After extraction, the base is homogenized for texture and heat treated for safety.
Best Practice line for soy - soy powder line

Best Practice line for soy - soy powder line

Starting from powders, this line offers excellent control over essential product properties like taste and texture. Intensive, high shear mixing disperses the powder, then efficiently dissolves and emulsifies the ingredients. Choose between two different heat treatment methods to ensure end product safety.
Best Practice line for oats - oat grain line

Best Practice line for oats - oat grain line

For production of oat beverages from grains or flakes, this line includes wet-grinding and a highly controlled enzyme treatment and de-activation process to give the desired product flavour. Fibre separation, homogenization and a powerful high shear mixing optimize beverage properties; heat treatment ensures food safety.
Best Practice line for oat - oat flour line

Best Practice line for oat - oat flour line

For production of oat beverages from flour, this line begins with powerful high shear mixing. Next comes a highly controlled enzyme treatment and de-activation process to give the desired end product flavour. Fibre separation, homogenization and powerful high shear mixing optimize beverage properties; heat treatment ensures food safety.
Best Practice line for oat compound - oat compound line

Best Practice line for oat compound - oat compound line

For production of oat beverages from a compound, our powerful high shear mixer gives you full formulation control, allowing you to fine tune products to match consumers’ texture and taste preferences. Choose between two different heat treatment methods to ensure product safety.
Best Practice line for nuts

Best Practice line for nuts

Our high shear mixer gives you full control over emulsification, the main challenge of nut beverage production. Create a stable beverage and avoid ingredient separation. Since grinding is optional, the line is suitable for production from whole nuts or nut paste. Choose between two different heat treatment methods to ensure product safety.

Related links

White papers