food Marketing & Technology 3/2021

Ingredients
Straddling the Equator for Reliable Raw
Material Sourcing and Production
With sustainability in mind, BENEO’s broad-based approach to raw material sourcing ensures a secure supply
chain
BENEO’s dietary fibers are in greater
demand than ever before. As
intestinal health becomes a key issue
for consumers around the world, the
industry is responding to the growing
level of interest with new product
developments. But when it comes to
raw materials from Mother Nature,
the company is playing it safe and
ensuring, no matter what obstacles
and weather conditions they face, that
they can reliably deliver consistently
high-quality dietary fibers. The
solution? BENEO is cultivating its
chicory root on both sides of the
globe to guarantee a reliable supply
chain … even in times of crisis. Food
Marketing & Technology now takes a
closer look at one of these state-ofthe-art
facilities at Pemuco in Chile.
Well positioned for a global
market
To address the ongoing requirements
for the prebiotic dietary fibers inulin
and oligofructose from chicory root,
and to ensure raw material security
for its customers, BENEO opened
a production site in Chile some 15
years ago to complement its plant
in Belgium. Although chicory was
previously hardly grown in the region,
the company has since become
an integral part of the Chilean
agricultural sector and is setting new
standards in terms of sustainability.
For BENEO, the plant in Pemuco, Chile,
offers a decisive strategic advantage.
With two locations on different sides
of the equator, security of supply
for international customers has
significantly increased. Just like sugar
beet, chicory is a seasonal crop that is
harvested in the fall. The move to the
southern hemisphere was therefore
crucial to ensure the availability of
raw materials — even during extreme
climatic conditions. As the harvest
season in Chile usually runs from
March until the end of June, BENEO
can process chicory roots twice a year,
allowing much greater flexibility
to respond to changing customer
requirements in a fast-moving market.
But, production in Chile offers even
more advantages; owing to the high
intensity of sunlight, the on-site
photosynthetic capacity is extremely
high, which benefits both quality and
yield. In addition, frosts are very rare
and, even during the day, it does not
get too hot. In fact, the cultivation
conditions are very similar to Central
Europe in terms of temperature
extremes.
In addition, as BENEO serves a global
market with its natural dietary fibers,
the distances from Central Europe to
some customers — such as those in
Southeast Asia or the West Coast of
the U. S. — are correspondingly long.
The Pemuco location facilitates more
efficient transportation, thus reducing
costs, distances and CO 2
emissions.
Last but not least, Chile is the country
with the highest number of free
trade agreements (FTAs) worldwide.
There are 26 agreements in place
with a total of 62 economies, which
generate almost 90% of the world’s
gross domestic product. Accordingly,
the South American country offers
highly interesting access to a variety
of markets.
Challenging soil
Around 250 employees now work for
BENEO in Pemuco, 200 in production
and administration and about 50
in agriculture. Depending on the
food Marketing & Technology • June 2021
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