Cargill invests in European wheat protein and specialised starch capacity

Today the Krefeld plant produces a range of corn starches and sweeteners for the food and industrial markets. The company said the facility will transform from corn to wheat processing.

Through this transition, Cargill said it will address market changes in the areas of nutrition and packaging.

In particular, Cargill said the market has seen an increase in demand for protein rich foods, driven by the growing world population. There is also a rising need for industrial starches in the packaging industry.

The investment will see Cargill add wheat proteins and specialised starches to its portfolio.

The new unit, which will be built on the current factory site, will use the ‘best available production technologies’ to meet the ‘highest standards of reliability and sustainability’, Cargill claimed.

“Cargill remains committed to serving its global customers in a safe and sustainable way,”​ said Alain Dufait, managing director Cargill Starches, Sweeteners & Texturizers Europe. “This transformation will not only allow us to expand our portfolio serving the evolving needs of our customers, but also use more sustainable production methods.”​

This investment will support the local economy and the European farming community while positioning the business for future growth, the company continued.

Menno Timmermans, Cargill Starches & Sweeteners Europe’s site manager in Krefeld elaborated: “Our site is strategically located near to the river Rhine and the rail network. This allows us to serve our European and global customers over water and land in an efficient and sustainable way.”​

Construction will begin in early 2020 with completion expected by the summer of 2021. The first deliveries of wheat products will start in the autumn of 2021.