Meet Lovisa Martin Marais, Nutrition Manager R&D

So, who are you?

A positive and energetic person who loves sunshine and warmth! I’m always drawn to highlighting opportunities and pushing initiatives that make a real difference. I’m goal-oriented – sometimes the goal feels more important than the journey.

We joke that I’m R&D’s “global wildcard” – Spanish dad, Finnish mom, and a South African husband. I’ve always had a global outlook and an interest in how things work around in the world. To me, the world isn’t far away – it’s just around the corner. I’ve lived and studied in France, Spain, and South Africa, which has helped me feel at home in new places.

I’m also a mother of two boys who constantly inspire me to think in new ways – they help me grow as a person. Remembering that I can be wrong is a useful mindset to carry through life.

What are you most proud of?

That I’ve accepted challenges and dared to follow my heart. I met my husband Rudy in Sweden while he was on an assignment here. I had planned to study in the US, but the process was slow and complicated, so I took a leap and moved to Rudy’s homeland instead. At 21, I packed a 19 kg suitcase and moved to South Africa to study Food Science at the University of Pretoria. Looking back, it was a life-defining decision that gave me the greatest return – my family.

We lived in South Africa for four years before moving back to Sweden, where I completed my Master’s in Biotechnology at Chalmers University of Technology.

Tell us about your career at Lantmännen.

Lantmännen seemed like an exciting company, and I was determined to explore opportunities there. I visited their booth at a career fair and managed to get a business card from someone at R&D. That contact led to my first project – researching the effects of wheat bran on gut health. Over time, my role evolved to include more projects linking grain and health. I’ve now been at Lantmännen for over thirteen years.

That’s quite a while. What’s kept you here?

The ever-changing challenges – new research projects, new questions, and new partners. No two days are the same. Being part of external initiatives and representing our commitment to public health is also very rewarding.

It’s been exciting to witness Lantmännen’s journey, like the acquisition of Biorefineries Kimstad (oats and beta-glucan), Vasaan (focus on rye), and now the entry into animal production with Scan. Each move brings new angles on health and nutrition, which changes my role, too.

What experiences have helped you the most?

Over the years, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of the business, which makes my work easier. I’m faster at spotting opportunities and potential roadblocks, and more responsive to the needs where collaborations can have impact.

My early experience supporting individuals with disabilities taught me to think differently and embrace diversity – something valuable in R&D where we work with people from various backgrounds and motivations.

Tell us about your current role – what do you do, and what’s the best and most challenging part?

In short, I work to identify opportunities in health and nutrition where research and collaboration can strengthen Lantmännen’s product positioning.

Through research, we gain new insights into how food affects the body and link that to overall well-being. We focus on whole grains – identified in global studies as the most important dietary factor for health.

Right now, I’m involved in several projects looking at the health effects of whole grain consumption. These insights help us ensure our products remain relevant and aligned with consumer health needs.

Communicating health benefits is a complex area, but food and health are always hot topics. I’m also part of the editorial board for Cerealier magazine, which helps us share this knowledge in an accessible way.

Internally, I lead a forum at Lantmännen for colleagues to explore current topics in health and nutrition – a place to spot business opportunities.

Externally, I chair the nutrition group at the Swedish Food Federation, helping raise important industry issues with peers, authorities, and policymakers. I also helped launch the new Whole Grain Promotion initiative with partners across the sector.

What qualities are key in your role?

Besides subject knowledge, it’s essential to be humble and understand different perspectives – researchers have one view, business representatives another. One needs to find common ground.

A holistic mindset is also key to identifying opportunities across the organization.

Can you share a moment when you used Lantmännen’s core values – openness, holistic view, or drive – to move a project forward?

In January 2025, we submitted an application for a European health claim – the first time Lantmännen has done this since the rules became stricter in 2007.

It was a long process involving other companies and academia. I had to stay focused, driven, and use openness and holistic thinking from across all our food businesses. Now we hope for a positive outcome.

What motivates you?

Constant learning and development. I love working on varied tasks and sometimes surprising others with unexpected contributions.

My R&D colleagues are a true asset – like a living library of expertise. We share the mission, and through them I gain strength, support, and great collaboration that expands our networks.

What’s next for you at Lantmännen? What would you like to learn more about?

I’m curious to further explore more within business development, negotiation, and advocacy.

Your best tips for others aiming for a career at Lantmännen?

Learn as much as possible about Lantmännen’s different parts – there’s incredible power in the bigger picture, which often helps make sense of the details. Everything is connected.

Three words that describe Lantmännen:

Comprehensive. Responsible. Long-term.