Business segment: Nordzucker with plant-based proteins
Nordzucker is investing more than 100 million euros in the production of plant-based proteins. A new plant in Lower Saxony and around 60 additional jobs are associated with the expansion, the Braunschweig-based company announced on Monday. "Plant-based nutrition will play an increasingly important role in the future. The market is growing rapidly," said CEO Lars Gorissen.
In view of changing eating habits and the trend towards substitute products for meat, eggs and milk, for example, Europe's second-largest sugar producer sees attractive prospects in this business segment. For the production of plant-based proteins, the company is focusing in particular on the yellow pea from regional cultivation. The company can produce all year round due to the good shelf life of the peas.
The proteins are to be marketed as concentrates and dry texturates for further processing in the food and animal feed industry. "We will produce and sell pea proteins as an ingredient for further processing," said Operations Manager Alexander Godow.
Construction in Groß Munzel in the Hanover region is scheduled to begin in fall 2024. There is already a Nordzucker site there and therefore existing infrastructure for the company. Commissioning is planned for mid-2026, it said.
According to Nordzucker, the company employs 3,800 people at 21 locations in Europe and Australia. In the past financial year, the Group increased its net profit to EUR 182 million after EUR 84 million in the previous year. One positive factor was the entry into the cane sugar business in Australia.
In line with the rising importance of plant-based nutrition, Nordzucker plans to utilize its new plant in Lower Saxony to produce nutritious pea proteins, catering to the growing demand for meat, egg, and milk alternatives in Europe. By incorporating these plant-based proteins into their offerings, Nordzucker aims to contribute to improved agriculture and nutrition across various sectors.
Source: www.dpa.com
