Meet Sumit Pingle, one of our curious minds

The human population and protein consumption are both growing at an unprecedented rate, while the available space for food production is shrinking. An estimated 85 percent of the Earth’s potential agricultural land is already secured for food production but, by 2050, humans are expected to number more than 9 billion, requiring a 50 percent increase in the delivery of high-quality protein. Alfa Laval has teamed up with Bühler Insect Technology Solutions (BITS) to deliver process solutions for insect protein on a bigger scale. Although insects are considered a delicacy in some countries, the primary focus is on insect farming to produce animal feed. Alfa Laval’s more than 50 years’ experience in protein processing (using e.g. meat, fish and soya beans), means that the company is at the forefront of developing new solutions for both plant-based and alternative protein sources – and is also expanding the boundaries of what has previously been impossible.

Sumit Pingle has had many years’ experience working with different protein sources and process solutions. According to him, it is Alfa Laval’s extensive know-how plus the fact that all Alfa Laval’s core products are needed in the process solutions for protein production, which have made the company a significant and well-known supplier to the industry. When protein companies are looking at new feedstocks, they turn to the partner with the biggest technological competence and the most reliable product portfolio. That is why Alfa Laval is teaming up with the most curious partners to challenge the boundaries of protein processing.

After a long career in the energy sector working with finance, supply chain, sales and management, you joined Alfa Laval in 2014 and are now in your second position, as head of Agro and Protein Systems. What are the drivers that have made you successful?
“I would say my curiosity… I'm driven by learning and understanding new areas, and how we can improve our business to win the market. When we understand those business opportunities then we can apply our product portfolio to win our customers’ trust. Wanting to learn and understand new areas is a good driver for how to improve and get better. It could be finding methods of identifying business opportunities or approaching new customer groups. I am a bit competitive. I want to win but I want to win smartly… Another important thing is that I constantly challenge myself and my colleagues to do things better with the customer in mind. It is the only way to expand current boundaries and find new solutions to current and future challenges.”