Palsgaard Expands Emulsifiers Factory in Netherlands

Palsgaard has started work on a major expansion at its specialist Netherlands factory for high-grade PGPR emulsifiers. 

PGPR (polyglycerol polyricinoleate) is a co-emulsifier primarily used in chocolate production to control flow, reduce viscosity and optimize molding and enrobing. It also reduces fat content in margarine spreads and is a highly effective, plant-based color-dispersing aid that replaces petroleum-based waxes in plastics.

Scheduled for completion in 2024, the EUR18m expansion to Palsgaard’s Netherlands plant, which also makes specialty ingredients for margarine and bakery, will double the company’s global capacity to produce PGPR, demand for which is growing by 10% per year.

The facility achieved CO2-neutral production status in 2018. The energy-saving design of the new extension includes an additional 1500m2 of solar panels and complete electrification of PGPR production, along with three new reactors and a new downstream processing line. 

Palsgaard’s new Chief Executive Officer Helle Müller Petersen, who recently joined the company from Arla Foods, led the ground-breaking ceremony on 7th February. She commented: “Visiting our facilities around the world and meeting Palsgaard employees is a priority for my first 100 days as CEO, so seeing work start on the PGRP factory extension in the Netherlands has been a great opportunity to learn more about Palsgaard’s unique DNA.”

Palsgaard is also investing heavily in its main production site in Denmark and is currently installing a new 30,000 MT spray cooling tower. This facility will be supported by the construction of multiple new reaction, distillation, and esterification plants. The EUR125m investment will double its production capacity by 2024.