Südzucker plans production plant for protein concentrate from Faba beans
The cultivation of faba beans is to be significantly expanded with a production facility for protein concentrate tobe built at the Offstein site. Image: Südzucker Group
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.
The cultivation of Faba beans is to be significantly expanded and, in the medium term, a production facility for protein concentrate will be built at the Offstein site (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) with an investment of around €50 million.
Südzucker’s subsidiary Beneo, a specialist in functional food ingredients, is expanding its plant-based protein portfolio, which was previously based on wheat and rice. Until the new production plant in Offstein is fully operational, the faba beans will initially be processed at intermediate production facilities.
Südzucker said it will hold talks with farmers in the German regions Wetterau and Kassel in the coming months since the natural site conditions are particularly suitable for growing Faba beans there. The first contract areas are planned for 2023, with faba bean cultivation to be increased to several thousand hectares in the coming years.
With its protein content of around 30 per cent, the faba bean provides a natural ingredient for the manufacture of meat and dairy alternative products. Its starch content also benefits other customers in the food and animal nutrition industries.
The protein concentrate from the faba bean will enable Beneo to not only serve the trend towards plant-based nutrition, but also make an important contribution to climate protection. Faba beans 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 sustainable with a low energy footprint.
