Südzucker : Südzucker plans production plant for protein concentrate from Faba beans

Südzucker Group is expanding its existing protein portfolio as part of the group's strategy 2026 PLUS. The goal is to obtain proteins from regionally grown Faba beans for processors in the food and animal nutrition industries. To this end, the cultivation of Faba beans is to be significantly expanded and, in the medium term, an own production facility for protein concentrate is to be built at the Offstein site (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany). An investment of around EUR 50 million is planned.

Südzucker's subsidiary BENEO, a specialist in functional food ingredients, is thus expanding its plant-based protein portfolio, which was previously based on wheat and rice. Südzucker Group is thus significantly intensifying its involvement in this business area. Until the new production plant in Offstein is fully operational, the Faba beans will initially be processed at intermediate production facilities. In this way, customers will already benefit from the products in the short term.

Since the natural site conditions are particularly suitable for growing Faba beans there, Südzucker will be holding talks with farmers in the German regions Wetterau and Kassel in the coming months. The first contract areas are planned for 2023; Faba bean cultivation is to be increased to several thousand hectares in the coming years.

With its protein content of around 30 percent, the Faba bean provides a natural ingredient for the manufacture of meat and dairy alternative products, for example. Its starch content also benefits other customers in the food and animal nutrition industries. With the protein concen-trate from the Faba bean, BENEO is not only serving the trend towards a plant-based nutrition, but is also making an important contribution to climate protection. The Faba bean can be grown and processed regionally and, as a legume, also binds the nitrogen present in the air for natural nutrient supply in arable farming. The planned processing plant at the Offstein site is also designed to be particularly sustainable with a low energy footprint.