The worlds biggest meat alternative factory has opened in the UK, producing the equivalent of 1,600 cows a week in vegan and veggie products.

Quorn Foods’ Belasis site in Billingham, North East England will double its existing production capacity, adding 20,000 tonnes a year.

The company has recently invested £150m in veggie and vegan products and has identified the UK as is ‘the most advanced meat-free market in the world’.

Research indicates one third of Britons are now cutting down on meat.

The state of the art production facility will produce 1.33M packs of Quorn products per week.

‘Growing environmental concerns’

Quorn Foods chief executive Kevin Brennan said: “We are the world leader in meat alternatives and have seen our business grow by 16% in the last year.

“We see decades of growth ahead of us as consumers respond to growing environmental concerns around meat production.

“We provide dramatic sustainability benefits compared to meat and with this new facility will enhance those benefits further.

“Sustainability is at the heart of our organisation and we are committed to ensuring we are being responsible with the carbon footprint of our business.”

Carbon footprint

Quorn is also aiming to reduce its carbon footprint, which is down 35% since 2012.

It has eliminated 297 tonnes of non-recyclable plastic from its supply chain and pledged to achieve 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2025.

The company estimates the green-house gas emissions from a bag of Quorn Mince are 90% lower than beef mince.

• Read: A whopping 56% of British people under 30 try out veganism in the last year

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