Ingredients supplier BENEO has invested about €30 million to increase the global production of prebiotic chicory root fibre to meet the rising consumer demand. This involves an investment program that expands the capabilities of its facilities located in Pemuco, Chile and Oreye, Belgium. Utilised in the food and feed industry, products that contain chicory root fibre inulin is estimated to reach value worth $11.84 billion by 2028.

Inulin and oligofructose, both found in chicory root fibre, are the only plant-based, proven probiotics by the International Scientific Association for Pro- and Prebiotics (ISAPP). These provide a range of benefits, including targeting specific health priorities by customers including digestive health, immunity, bone health, blood sugar and weight management, and overall inner well-being.

Christoph Boettger, member of the Executive Board at BENEO comments, “BENEO’s chicory root fibres meet key consumer needs of today and we are convinced that they will continue to play a central role in healthy nutrition in the future. With increased capacity, BENEO continues to offer a secure supply to its customers and partners worldwide.”

Boettger continues, “As announced previously, in summer 2022 a second refinery line in Pemuco will already increase the production capacity significantly. But we won’t stop there. The recent investment decision will ensure that BENEO’s production capacity is further growing. On top of this capacity increase, CO2 emissions are being reduced. This means that the production site in Pemuco will be carbon neutral in a few years. Additionally, the site in Oreye will have reduced the specific energy consumption per ton of product by more than 50 percent by 2030.”

The new facilities will not only ensure a secure and steady supply of prebiotic chicory root fibre, but help BENEO achieve its sustainability goals of being carbon neutral by 2045.