- The plant was built in 1.5 years with a €50 million investment.
- It spans 4,000 square meters and creates 25 jobs.
- The site uses renewable energy and a zero-waste approach.
- Faba beans are processed into food and feed ingredients.
Inauguration and Investment
BENEO has inaugurated its first pulse-processing plant in Obrigheim, Germany, after a construction period of 1.5 years. The project involved a €50 million investment by the Südzucker Group, enhancing the site in Rhineland-Palatinate. The plant processes local pulses, such as faba beans, into ingredients for food and feed production.
Sustainability and Operations
The new facility, adjacent to BENEO's existing site, covers 4,000 square meters and will create up to 25 jobs. It operates entirely on renewable energy, with additional power from a rooftop photovoltaic system. The plant employs a zero-waste approach, ensuring full utilization of raw materials, and requires no water for pulse processing.
Environmental Impact
The faba bean, a key crop at the plant, supports sustainable agriculture by requiring no nitrogen fertilizer and improving soil quality. The beans are grown locally in Germany and are REDCert2 certified, equivalent to the highest level of the Farm Sustainability Assessment from SAI.
Market Trends and Consumer Demand
With a growing trend towards plant-based diets, the plant addresses increasing consumer demand for pulse-derived proteins used in meat, dairy alternatives, and egg replacements. This aligns with the rise in flexitarian diets across Europe, where 27% of consumers identify as such, and 51% have reduced meat consumption due to health, animal welfare, and environmental concerns.
