Chicory plant transition: Cosucra’s €45M investment to slash energy use by 50%

07 Aug 2023 --- Cosucra is bolstering its energy transition and increasing chicory and pea protein production capacity with a €45 million (US$49.3 million) investment from Sofiprotéol, a Paris-based investment company, Wallonie Entreprendre, a Belgium-based corporate office and investment firm Société Fédérale de Participations et d’Investissement (SFPIM).

The global food market has undergone a significant transition in recent years, and Cosucra has been playing a pivotal role in rebalancing the nutritional profile of its ingredients.

Speaking with Food Ingredients First at IFT FIRST in Chicago (US) recently, Eric Bosley, CEO of Cosucra, explains more about the investment.

“In the next seven years, we intend to invest more than €250 million (US$274 million) in our chicory plant to transition how we operate. So we will transform and reduce our energy transition by 50%.”

“The carbon footprints of our chicory and pea plants will reach that digit (50% reduction) by processing residuals from chicory and transforming it into biogas. This biogas will be further converted into green electricity and will help us to use fewer resources,” notes Bosley, adding that it will “make our plants less dependent on the external natural gas supply.”

He tells us the plants are located in the south of Belgium, along the French border. According to Bosley, the most difficult aspect of the project relates to technological challenges and the fact that the plants require massive processing equipment.

“Typically, for the chicory industry, you process for several months per year, so every year in September, we need to be able to process the roots. So the project process will be divided into several stages,” he continues. “Each year, we need to have a running factory in September for the first few months of the year.”

Eric Bosly, CEO of Cosucra.“We always strive to process most of the raw materials. So compared to our competitors, we have one of the highest recoveries of the entire chicory plant.”

“We have not only the refined protein but also the fiber starch. The residuals see low feed and pet food prices, for example, so that the entire product is valorized in this energy processing.”

Rebalancing nutrition
Chicory root fiber and pea protein play an important role in formulating health and nutrition products. To support manufacturers in these growing markets, Cosucra is deploying a strategy where innovation plays a key role, from raw materials to ingredients.

With its latest raise, Cosucra has given itself the resources to implement its ambitious transition plan. The funds raised are part of financing an investment plan worth more than €200 million (US$219 million) between 2023 and 2030.

Cosucra’s transformation plan is integral to the company’s strategy.

By 2030, a 50% increase in the supply of Fibruline chicory products will support market growth for sugar reduction, digestive health and plant fiber fortification, both in daily diet and in food supplements and health products, the company affirms.

Cosucra’s industrial plan is aimed at the energy transition of its pea and chicory factories, enabling it to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 50% per kilo of ingredients produced.

“This project is based on ESG standards and Cosucra has taken seven commitments on sustainability, gender equality and also on biodiversity,” adds Bosley.

“We plan to monitor these KPIs every year to show to all our stakeholders how we can progress on the future of pea protein,” he concludes.

By Elizabeth Green, with additional reporting by Missy Green

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