Sproud makes low-carbon, plant-based milk made from yellow split peas to match the nutritional profile and taste of dairy milk
Founded in Malmö, Sweden, Sproud (www.besproud.com) is a producer of plant-based milk, developed for environmentally conscious consumers that do not wish to compromise on the taste or nutritional content of dairy products. Through innovative use of yellow split peas, which is one of the most sustainable sources of plant-based protein, Sproud quickly became the leading provider of its kind in Sweden, after its launch in 2018.
Following the company’s successes in its native market, Sproud was launched in the UK in the summer of 2019. Since then, it has made its products widely available to UK customers through supermarkets and online retailers, including Waitrose, Ocado, and Amazon, in addition to various independent shops, cafés, and restaurants. Since 2021, Sproud is also sold directly to consumers via Sproud.uk. Over the past two years, Sproud has expanded to 30 countries, including the US and Asia.
Sproud is part of the rapidly growing market for plant-based milk alternatives, which is expected to surpass $21 billion by 2026, according to new research from Global Market Insights. Combining sustainability with a natural and recognisable taste, Sproud is able to cater to consumers ranging from full-time vegans (which make for approximately 10% of its customer base), to a larger number of flexitarians, and those seeking to reduce their carbon footprint by incorporating selected plant-based products into their diets.
Prior to establishing Sproud, co-founder Maria Tegman spent over 15 years in senior positions at Nordic food giant, Orkla Foods, where she developed some of the group’s most successful brands, and pioneered its plant-based product offering. During her time with Orkla Foods, she was witnessing a whole new generation of consumers adopt vegan and vegetarian lifestyles, something that, at the time, was brushed off by most food manufacturers as a fad that would soon pass. For Maria, this was indicative of a permanent shift, and a clear opportunity to create positive societal change, which led her to set up Sproud together with Christopher Robertson (R&D and Supply Director) and Nicklas Jungberg (Chairman of the Board) in 2017.
Sara Berger, CEO of Sproud, comments: “One of the greatest challenges that the world is facing currently is the transition towards more sustainable food production. Sproud has done an incredible job to establish itself as a key player in a rapidly growing space with tough competition and it is now ready to accelerate from startup to scaleup. With unrivaled taste and the lowest climate footprint in the industry, Sproud is in an ideal position to become the world’s leading premium plant-based dairy company. I am confident that we can grab significant market shares and bring Sproud to the next level.”
About Sproud’s products and their benefits
The innovation of Sproud lies in the company’s unique ability to create products with a taste and texture that closely resembles dairy milk. This is made possible through a unique, proprietary blend of protein from yellow split peas, GMO-free oils and syrups, fortified with essential vitamins (A, B2, B12, and D). All of its products contain essential amino acids, in addition to being vegan, and free from lactose, gluten, and soy. When compared to oat milk, Sproud products contain double the amount of protein, and five times more than the amount of protein found in almond milk. Meanwhile, the production of peas uses minimal water, land, and carbon, making it a far more sustainable option than milk made from for example almond or rice.
Sproud currently supplies six different products in the UK:
● Unsweetened - made with zero sugar, the Unsweetened provides the closest taste to semi-skimmed milk, with the same level of vitamins and minerals as skimmed milk, and is high in protein but low in carbs.
● Barista - developed in collaboration with professional baristas, it is easy to froth for use in coffee, but also an ideal plant-based alternative to milk for use in cooking or smoothies, due to its creaminess. Sweetened with agave syrup, the Barista contains significantly less sugar than most plant-based alternatives, is low in carbs and provides a high protein content.
● Chocolate - sweetened with agave syrup like the Barista, the Chocolate contains just 5% sugar and is low in carbs, making it a healthier alternative to conventional chocolate milk, and most plant-based alternatives too, without compromising on the taste.
● Vanilla - with just 3% sugar, Sproud Vanilla is certified with 60% less sugar than similar products within the category. The Vanilla is a versatile milk that foams well for coffee and mixes smoothly in pancakes and smoothies.
● 2x Iced Latte - this Fairtrade certified on-the-go product comes in Original and Salted Caramel. Both flavours are certified with 30% less sugar than the average iced latte on the EU market and are the equivalent to 2 shots of espresso. örpackninger på 330 ml, vilket är cirka 25 procent mer islatte än övriga som finns på marknaden.
Sproud was recently named the first ever plant-based milk brand to have its products certified by Sugarwise, the international certification authority for sugar claims. The ‘Unsweetened’ is SUGARWISE certified ‘sugar free’, and the ‘Barista’ received SUGARWISE certification for being ‘low sugar’. All three products are now certified by Sugarwise as ‘reduced carb’. The ‘Chocolate’, ‘Vanilla’, and both ‘Iced Latte’ are SUGARWISE certified ‘reduced sugar’.
Further adding to the sustainability aspects of Sproud, its packaging is made from renewable and recyclable materials. The pea-based milks have a shelf-life of 365 days to reduce unnecessary food waste, and can be stored at room temperature until opened, to avoid the negative environmental effects of chilled transportation and distribution.
About Sproud
The Sproud brand was born in Malmö, Sweden, in 2018 and now employs 15 people in Sweden and the UK, and the US. Sproud is available in major supermarkets, independent stores, leading cafés and restaurants in more than 30 countries, as well as online from besproud.com.
For media enquiries, please contact CEO Sara Berger:
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