BENEO Opens €50 Million Pulse-Processing Facility in Germany

Ingredient manufacturer BENEO has opened a new pulse-processing facility in Obrigheim, Germany, following an investment of approximately €50 million by parent company Südzucker Group. The new plant processes locally grown pulses, including faba beans, into ingredients for use in food and animal feed applications. The facility, built adjacent to BENEO’s existing site, spans around 4,000 square metres and is expected to create up to 25 new jobs. It expands the company’s capabilities in producing plant-based ingredients and complements existing production lines for Isomalt and Palatinose (isomaltulose), both carbohydrate-based sweeteners.

The plant is designed with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact. Operations are powered entirely by electricity sourced from renewables. A zero-waste operational model underpins the site’s operations, with all processed materials being converted into products for the food and feed industries. The faba beans processed at the facility are cultivated in Germany and carry REDCert2 certification, aligning with high sustainability standards. The decision to focus on faba beans is due to their agronomic and nutritional profile as nitrogen-fixing legumes that do not require synthetic fertilisers and contribute to soil health, offering benefits in terms of sustainable farming practices.