BENEO Opens EUR50m Pulse-Processing Plant in Germany to Meet Growing Demand for Plant-Based Ingredients
BENEO, part of the Südzucker Group, has officially opened its first pulse-processing facility in Obrigheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, following a EUR50m investment. The new plant, constructed in just 18 months, will produce food and feed ingredients from pulses such as locally grown faba beans.
Located adjacent to BENEO’s existing facility—home to the production of Isomalt and Palatinose—the new 4,000 square metre plant will create up to 25 new jobs. Sustainability is central to the project: the site runs entirely on renewable electricity, supported by rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient waste heat systems. Notably, the pulse processing itself requires no water, and the plant follows a zero-waste policy.
BENEO sources its faba beans locally, with all crops REDCert2 certified—the equivalent of SAI Platform’s FSA at Gold level—reinforcing its commitment to sustainable agriculture. Faba beans are nitrogen-fixing legumes that improve soil health and reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers.
“With this expansion, we’re continuing a tradition of innovation at Obrigheim, using faba beans to produce high-quality, plant-based ingredients that support future-ready nutrition,” said Niels E. Hower, Executive Board Member at BENEO.
Dr Niels Pörksen, CEO of the Südzucker Group, added: “Feeding a growing global population sustainably is one of our greatest challenges. This new facility is a key step in our journey to expand plant-based protein capabilities.”
The plant’s opening comes as flexitarianism gains traction across Europe. According to 2023 data, 27% of European consumers identify as flexitarians, and over half have reduced their meat consumption. Health, animal welfare and environmental impact are key motivators.
In response to these shifts, BENEO is boosting its capacity to supply plant-based proteins used in meat and dairy alternatives, egg replacements and other applications, addressing both market demand and the industry’s sustainability goals.