Obrigheim, Germany – April 11, 2025 – BENEO, part of the Südzucker Group and a leading provider of functional food, feed, and pharma ingredients, has officially opened its first legume processing facility in Obrigheim, Germany. Backed by a €50 million investment, the site is set to boost innovation and sustainability in the food industry.
The new facility, located next to BENEO’s existing production site, will process local fava beans into sustainable, plant-based ingredients for food and animal feed. The project aligns with Südzucker’s commitment to sustainable growth and the regional economy—a milestone celebrated by key stakeholders including political and industry leaders.
With 25 new jobs created on a 4,000m² site, the plant is designed with sustainability at its core. It runs fully on renewable electricity, uses waste heat for heating, and requires no water for processing. A zero-waste strategy ensures all raw materials are used efficiently.
BENEO sources its fava beans locally, certified to the highest “Gold” level of the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) by SAI, enhancing soil quality and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
“From sugar beet innovation to legume processing, Obrigheim continues to lead with sustainable ingredient solutions,” said Niels E. Hower, Executive Board Member, BENEO.
The new plant addresses the growing demand for plant-based proteins, particularly from flexitarian consumers, 27% of whom now actively reduce meat intake for health, environmental, and ethical reasons (GFI Europe, 2024).
With this expansion, BENEO supports the shift toward meat, dairy, and egg alternatives, reinforcing its role in feeding a sustainable and future-ready global population.