How does sustainable rice sourcing look like at BENEO? What steps do we take in the production process of our rice ingredients to reduce the environmental impact? What social initiatives fulfill our responsibility towards people and communities? These questions were addressed by BENEO experts during a sustainability event at our production site in Wijgmaal, Belgium, in May.
Driving joint commitment for a more sustainable food system
It is no secret that the global food system has to become more sustainable to meet the nutritional needs of today while safeguarding tomorrow’s generations and the environment. After all, it accounts for around one quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. Close collaboration between food manufacturers and suppliers is vital to address current and future challenges facing the food and drink industry. Fostering exchange about sustainability allows for inspiration and can strengthen joint ambitions to work towards a more sustainable food system. This is why we recently hosted our second Sustainability Day. This customer event focused entirely on BENEO’s environmental and social actions along the value chain of our ingredients.
In September last year, our experts already invited customers of our prebiotic chicory root fibres to our production site in Oreye, Belgium, for a similar event. Our guests could discover firsthand what measures we are taking both in and around our production site. They also learned about our actions on the chicory fields to mitigate our impact on the planet and contribute to healthier products. Given the positive feedback, our sustainability and our sales teams decided to expand this idea to other BENEO locations and product lines as well. This time, our production plant in Wijgmaal, Belgium became the center of attention. Here, high-quality specialty rice ingredients, including rice proteins, starches and flours are produced for the food and feed industry. Our guests spent an insightful day with the BENEO experts on-site.
Strong roots to meet consumer demand
To kick-off the agenda, Roland Vanhoegaerden, Operations Managing Director, Specialty Rice Ingredients at BENEO, offered the participants a glimpse into the long history of the Wijgmaal production plant. Founded in the mid-19th century, it has grown to become the global market leader in the production and sale of rice starch. Understanding consumer views on sustainability is crucial for successfully marketing final products. That’s why the attendees received some key data.
In fact, 62% of European consumers believe that for a food or beverage to be healthy, it must be healthy for both themselves and the environment(i). And two in three want clear communication about companies’ sustainability efforts on pack(ii). Assuming environmental and social responsibility as a company, is clearly a crucial factor to remain competitive. Rice ingredients already offer potential, as rice is seen as familiar, natural, and nutritious, with 67% of European consumers finding rice (very) appealing(iii).
Sustainability at BENEO: Our Healthy Planet Plan
Next, BENEO’s Corporate Sustainability Manager, Nathalie Sadin, gave an overview of our company’s sustainability strategy – which we call our Healthy Planet Plan. It is based on four main pillars:
- Foster health, nutrition and wellbeing,
- Support resilient farming and supply chains,
- Care for people and
- Mitigate our impacts on the planet.
The next step was to look into actions taken in our rice ingredient value chain.
Strict guidelines for rice sourcing
Starting at the beginning of this chain, the participants were taken on a journey throughout the entire rice sourcing process. At BENEO, several procedures ensure our suppliers meet quality, safety, and sustainability requirements.
For example, our rice suppliers must adhere to environmental and legal guidelines and rules related to working conditions. We conduct regular audits of our main suppliers and have strict quality protocols to ensure raw materials meet our requirements. Looking at the transport of rice brokens from the external warehouse to the production site, the Wijgmaal plant has made significant investments in waterway transport. This change reduces truck movements on the road and thereby lowers CO2 emissions. In fact, inland water transport has doubled since 2021, with three-quarters now transported by barge instead of truck. BENEO aims to increase this proportion further.
Supporting rice farmers in Laos
Another key element of BENEO’s sustainability efforts is to support resilient farming. We work closely with those who cultivate the crops we later process into functional ingredients. For example, BENEO’s Wijgmaal plant has changed the long-term working life of more than a hundred small-scale rice farmers in Laos. To find out how working conditions for local farmers could be improved, BENEO liaised with its longstanding partner IDP. IDP is the leading producer and supplier of rice in Laos.
As a result, several harvesting machines and threshers were purchased to help ease workloads and improve field yields. Whilst BENEO retains full ownership of the equipment, the farmers have been trained on how to use and maintain it to ensure the long-standing success of the project. The machinery lightens workloads and speeds up the harvesting process by eliminating hand cutting and manual threshing. BENEO is involved in additional sustainable rice sourcing activities for further progress. So, stay tuned!
Fostering safety culture and diversity and inclusion
After a joint lunch, the agenda continued with diving into two other impact areas within BENEO’s sustainability strategy: securing health and safety in the workplace as well as fostering diversity, inclusion and equity. At the Wijgmaal site, there are cooperations with schools to support young talents from different backgrounds taking their first steps in professional life. These initiatives include application trainings and offering practical school projects. As part of a Südzucker Group-wide Diversity & Inclusion ambassador network, there is also a dedicated colleague in Wijgmaal who helps drive the area of D&I forward. When it comes to safety culture, there are many initiatives ongoing within BENEO and at its rice ingredient plant. These initiatives include regular safety trainings, audits, and meetings.
Increasing circularity
Finally, the participants learned how sustainability is incorporated into rice ingredient production. Several examples showed BENEO’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste while increasing circularity and promoting responsible water use. For instance, circularity in production means designing processes where materials are reused, recycled, and repurposed. This approach minimizes waste and reduces environmental impact. Consequently, rice starch production by-products can be used as animal feed ingredients.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting water resources
As part of the Südzucker Group, BENEO contributes to the Group’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its targets have even been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as being in line with the Paris Agreement of the United Nations. To continue its commitment towards more sustainable production, BENEO continuously strives to identify equipment and technologies that allow to reduce CO2 emissions. The company is also working on electrification projects to further reduce natural gas consumption.
With water being a vital resource for the production of BENEO’s rice ingredients, promoting its responsible use is key. This is why the company has invested in water recuperation installations. These reduce the reliance on groundwater and BENEO continues to investigate new technologies.
The perfect end to an insightful day
To put theory into practice, it was time for a factory tour. This was a great way to see first-hand the sustainability initiatives in and around the factory. The guests were able to visit the production facilities as well as get a glimpse at the canal where rice is delivered via barges. The event ended with a reception that allowed for networking and further exchange – all while trying tasty snacks with BENEO’s rice flour or rice starch.
Our customers appreciated learning about the wide range of BENEO’s sustainability initiatives linked to rice ingredients and were overall very satisfied with the event. A big thank you to all the colleagues involved in organizing and hosting it and for making it a success!
The transition towards a more sustainable food system is challenging – and it will require big efforts from the industry. At BENEO, we are aware of our responsibility and are committed to striving for continuous improvement.
(i)HealthFocus International Global Sustainability Report 2022 (Average France, Germany, UK, Russia)
(ii)Innova Database, Innova Trends Survey 2024 (Average 11 countries)
(iii)BENEO Health & Nutrition Survey Europe (FR, UK, NL, GER, PL. SP), 2020