In 2021, "Protéines France," a consortium of companies supporting development in this sector, launched the project ProteiNEW. As an active member of the consortium, Tereos is involved with this initiative, aiming to strengthen France's independence when it comes to protein. Anne Wagner, the Group's R&D Director and the first President of "Protéines France," explains the challenges of the project.
When we talk about plant proteins, we often hear the term "new resources." What does that mean? 

Anne Wagner: First of all, there are new plant resources, in particular protein crops, which can be consumed as they are or after refining and concentrating the proteins. But that's not all: new and very promising technologies are emerging thanks to insects, microalgae, yeast, fungi, and from bacteria from the fermentation of sugars. And we're not talking science fiction! These new resources are extremely compelling from a nutritional point of view. 
Thus, these sectors are on the up, and that's why we founded "Protéines France" in 2017 and launched ProteiNEW this year: to accelerate the development of these new sectors, which ensure that this agricultural resource is both protected and exploited to its full potential on a regional scale. 
 
What does this project involve? 

Anne Wagner: The ProteiNEW project is structured around four key pillars: identifying regional resources and benchmarks, supporting French start-ups, removing regulatory barriers and, last but not least, circulating findings more globally. The aim of ProteiNEW is to help develop a strong, integrated sector, putting France at the helm when it comes to proteins and new resources. Tereos is a co-leader of the second pillar with the start-up Algama, and our teams of course contribute and get involved in the other pillars. 
 
Outside of France, is the use of protein in food a global trend?  
Anne Wagner: This is a global trend that is addressing issues around food availability for a growing global population. However, in Western Europe in particular, there is no problem with the availability or quality of proteins, but consumers want to vary their protein sources for societal and environmental reasons. In France, we are lagging behind other countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, where plant proteins are already an important part of their diets. This new protein sector is thus a way to accelerate our entry into a diversified, globally sustainable food model and help our agriculture and technological innovations reach their full potential. 
 

Through a strategic supply agreement for Stevia extracts, Tereos offers comprehensive solutions that live up to consumer expectations.
Ever-changing consumer expectations 
For several years, the "good for me, good for the planet" trend has had a significant impact on purchasing decisions. While public health policies encourage the consumption of products with improved nutrition, consumers are noticeably more wary of the amount of sugar they consume.

 
With that in mind, stevia is the ideal ingredient! Proof of this is the fact that the number of product launches containing stevia extracts has increased by more than 16% per year between 2016 and 2020 (source: Innova Market Insights). As a sweetener, it meets expectations in terms of nutrition by allowing the sugar and calorie content of finished products to be reduced, and this trend is reflected in labeling systems such as the "Nutri-Score." This rating scale translate the nutritional value of a product, going from A (very healthy) to E (rather unhealthy). 
 


A healthy reformulation solution for our customers 
As a leading company in sweeteners, Tereos has offered its customers stevia extracts for over 10 years. In July 2021, the Group consolidated this ingredient's position in its product range by announcing the signing of a strategic supply agreement with the Swiss firm Firmenich, the world leader in the fragrance and flavor business.
The combination of Tereos solutions and Firmenich's range of stevia extracts will lead to innovative and appealing recipes for our customers. And with improved nutritional profiles, these products will take advantage of market opportunities in line with consumer expectations.

Tereos Sugar France has redesigned its industrial tools to better align with market and customer demands. We are talking about "flexibility" in the business. One of its core element is the production of syrup. It is made during harvest periods, stored and then processed into a variety of products as needed.  
An Elite Syrup! 
What we mean here is a high-purity syrup (HPS). HPS is produced in sugar beet harvest season—from October to January—and this is an essential step in the beet sugar extraction process. During this time, plants are working non-stop so they are ready to receive sugar beets on time. The plants are aiming to process the sugar beets before they spoil or are exposed to frost, at the risk of losing their sugar content. However, plants do face a barrie: despite their large intake capacity, plants cannot crystallize everything they receive. The solution? Store some of the High-Purity Syrup: 

One Syrup, Four Uses 
Some of the HPS obtained is then stored in tanks so it can be processed between harvests, from February through September.  It can then meet four major needs; it can be: 

The syrup is also used in the pre-harvest season in September to kick-start our plants before they receive the sugar beets. A bit like a warm-up!  
Syrup as an Essential Ingredient in a Volatile Market 
HPS production is therefore part of an arbitration logic to which Tereos France must lend itself, and which is fully in line with the flexibility of our industrial tool.  
Even before the harvests take place, Tereos France is under contract for an annual tonnage of sugar with its customers. This year, for example, the harvest was affected by yellow beet virus and climate hazards: the need to produce crystallized sugar is strategic and helps to meet these contracts. To do this, the HPS is reintroduced as a priority into the crystallization process and only a small amount is redirected to the distilleries to become alcohol.  
This ability to adapt has required adjustments and investment. Firstly, in three plants, additional equipment was installed in order to reduce the sugar content of the final syrup until molasses are obtained. At the same time, the Group invested in new storage space for HPS at three plants. 

Tereos and COVID-19 - #CommittedtoEssentials
Situation update, April 26th, 2020 -

OUR COOPERATIVE GROUP OPERATES ON STRATEGIC MARKETS
Tereos, world leader in the production of sugars, alcohols, plant proteins and products derived from starch has seen its productions recognized as "of strategic interest" by the authorities in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis as they are essential for sectors such as agri-food, infant nutrition, the pharmaceutical industry and sanitizing.
Aware of its responsibility and the essential role of its activity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group has implemented a globally coordinated Business Continuity Plan (BCP). This plan meets a double ambition: to ensure the safety of its employees and partners, while maintaining its quality of service.
TO DATE, AND UNDER CURRENT CONDITIONS, TEREOS DOES NOT ANTICIPATE DISRUPTION IN PRODUCTION AND IS MANAGING ITS LOGISTICS OPERATIONS UNDER NORMAL SUPPLY CONDITIONS
• The Group is not currently facing significant disruptions in its logistics and transport operations. Our sales, Customer Support and Supply-Chain teams constantly assess the situation and support the customers concerned as closely as possible to their needs and situations to ensure the best quality of service in this context.
• As always, Tereos applies a high level of food safety to all its product lines. To date and as indicated by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) food has not been identified as a probable route of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The Group is now able to meet global demand and provide its customers with the products essential to their business. This is the result of the collective effort of its 22,300 employees combined with the rigorous management of the PCA implemented.
More specifically, as a major player in pharmaceutical alcohol, Tereos remains mobilized to ensure a sustained supply of disinfectant products. Tereos would like to thank its social partners and employees for their strong involvement, ensuring both a high level of activity on production lines and a continuous charity support to communities around us – learn more.
  ***
Please reach out to your Tereos contacts for any questions or clarifications.

Our B2C range is expanding to include organic sugars and sugars with High Environmental Value

In April, two new ranges of Béghin Say sugar will be hitting the shelves of supermarkets and hypermarkets, providing access to a healthy and sustainable diet to the greatest number of people.
All of our products are part of an ambitious program focused on environmental issues, the future of the French agricultural sector and consumer expectations. With this in mind, our Béghin Say brand is expanding its range with French organic sugar and sugar from sugar beets grown in France, on farms with HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale — High Environmental Value) certification.    
Organic Sugars: The Culmination of a Collaborative Ambition
Back in 2019, the Group delved into the Organic world, backing partnerships with organic growers in the cultivation of organic sugar beet and supporting planters in the process of converting, in accordance with organic farming regulations. Rather than being just a transitional first step, it was part of a cross-cutting approach, driven by the desire to meet the challenge of an increasingly healthy and sustainable food model for the future.
This commitment is now taking shape among consumers with the launch of the Béghin Say French Organic Sugar range in supermarkets that is:

Sold in brand new, sleek and appealing, green packaging, which is 100% recyclable.

New Products with HVE Certification
Béghin Say is the first beet sugar brand to offer French sugar from HVE-certified farms. Produced at the Tereos sugar factory in Artenay (Loiret), the Béghin Say range committed to HVE farming is available as cubes and caster sugar. It will also be sold in 100% recyclable cardboard packaging.