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Belcolade, the chocolate division of Puratos, is investing 120 million euros in its production in Erembodegem. With this investment, Puratos is expanding its largest chocolate factory. It is also important that it become an "example of sustainable chocolate production," said Jean-Philippe Michaux, CFO and head of the Sustainability Steering Committee at Puratos.
Puratos has more than a hundred years of experience exporting ingredients such as butter, cream and flour for bakeries. In 1988, they decided to establish themselves at home with one of the national products of which we Belgians are so proud: chocolate. Over the years, consumer demand for Belgian - and sustainable - chocolate has grown tremendously. Especially internationally, the demand is increasing: from the United States to the Middle East to Asia, everywhere they want Belgian sustainable chocolate. Some segments, such as organic chocolate and chocolate with less sugar or with a higher cocoa content, are doing remarkably well abroad.
"With demand for sustainable Belgian chocolate growing at a tremendous rate, as the only Belgian family-owned chocolate producer for professionals here, it was an obvious move for us to expand in Erembodegem," says Youri Dumont, business unit director at Puratos. "We aim to almost double our production of Belcolade over the next five years, where customers will benefit from inspiring innovation brought to market faster than ever." The 120 million investment will also create numerous jobs. The plant's workforce is expected to grow by 100 people, supporting Belcolade's Belgian economy.
Moreover, there is a reason they call their chocolate "fair chocolate." "Cacao Trace" is a program aimed at paying a higher price to cocoa farmers in the Ivory Coast, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam. Earlier this year, they announced the investment of 1 billion euros to further support the program that is already operating in eight countries. In this way, they support fair chocolate from the beginning of the process.
Not only are they focusing on sustainability abroad, but they are not forgetting to innovate in their own backyard. The expanded site in Erembodegem will also become an "example of sustainable chocolate production," said Jean-Philippe Michaux, CFO and head of the Sustainability Steering Committee at Puratos. Belcolade aims to be the world's first Co2-neutral chocolate factory by 2025, running entirely on renewable energy. They also use rainwater for 90% of their water needs. By taking such measures, they are paving the way for high-quality sustainable chocolate, all on Belgian soil.
