Plant-based protein company Beyond Meat has opened its first manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China, to fast-track localised production and innovation.

Located in the Jiaxing Economic and Technological Development Zone, the new site is the company’s first plant outside the US.

Beyond Meat founder and CEO Ethan Brown said: “The opening of our dedicated plant-based meat facility in China marks a significant milestone in Beyond Meat’s ability to effectively compete in one of the world’s largest meat markets.

“We are committed to investing in China as a region for long-term growth, and we believe this new manufacturing facility will be instrumental in advancing our pricing and sustainability metrics as we seek to provide Chinese consumers with delicious plant-based proteins that are good for both people and planet.”

The new facility will be used by the company for manufacturing a wide range of plant-based pork, beef and poultry products.

The plant will also be used for producing Beyond Pork, the company’s first innovation created specifically for the Chinese market, as well as carry out research and development activities to create new product offerings.

Beyond Meat China general manager Candy Chan said: “The plant-based meat market in China continues to expand and Beyond Meat has been enthusiastically met by local consumers who are looking to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

“The opening of the new Jiaxing plant is expected to enable us to quicken the pace of innovation and roll out our products at the speed and scale needed to remain highly competitive within the region.”

In May 2019, Beyond Meat expanded its partnership with Zandbergen World’s Finest Meat to develop plant-based products at Zandbergen’s manufacturing facility, which is being constructed in Zoeterwoude, Netherlands.