WELCOME TO COSUCRA

COSUCRA contributes to healthy and sustainable contemporary diets by concentrating Nature’s beneficial effects in convenient integrated solutions for everyday consumption.

A well-rooted and modern history

Established by COSUCRA back in 1852 in western Belgium, a region known for its prolific agricultural tradition, the original factory extracted sugar from beets. COSUCRA has invested heavily in research and development from the very beginning, setting up an agricultural research centre dedicated to the development of its own chicory seeds.

The world’s first producer of industrial inulin, COSUCRA has always anticipated trends and consumer needs. This explains why it gradually refocused its production on nutritional ingredients extracted from two crops typically grown in the region: chicory roots and yellow peas. A bold move. We are proud of having made the switch, as it has allowed our company to become the world leader in natural ingredients extracted from chicory roots and peas.

With a history spanning six generations in the production of natural chicory and pea ingredients, COSUCRA targets the food and nutrition & health markets worldwide.

COSUCRA today can be summed up as:

6 generations: the guarantee of a well-established company that is close to all of its partners
300+ employees worldwide
3 processing plants (1 for chicory and 2 for peas, one of which in Denmark)
1 subsidiary in Chicago, USA, and 1 sales office in Shanghai, China
5 years since the transition to a liberated company

Innovation at the heart of our business

COSUCRA’s ambition? Offer our customers specialty ingredients, whatever the raw material. Our R&D department is never short of resources and ideas to innovate at three levels: process, ingredient and concept.

Innovation, for sure! But not at any cost. Ensuring the quality of our raw materials, the sustainability of our manufacturing processes and the naturalness of our ingredients is paramount to us.

Resolutely customer oriented

COSUCRA’s agility and flexibility make us a preferred partner for our customers. Indeed, due to our SME size, we are more transparent and especially more agile than our competitors, all of which much larger companies.

COSUCRA has a worldwide presence, either directly or through partners (distributors and agents). We have a subsidiary in the USA (Chicago) and 3 people posted in China and Taiwan. On the strength of our presence in those three regions (NORAM, APAC, Europe) through our workforce and of our distribution network in four regions (NORAM, APAC, Europe and SOAM), we are able to adapt quickly to local needs.

What do we want to make sure our customers will get? The best, of course! This is why the quality and traceability of our ingredients have become major elements of our branding. At COSUCRA, we pride ourselves in ensuring the quality and traceability of each of our products in complete transparency.

More than ever forward-looking

The earth is what sustains the growth of COSUCRA, which explains why we spare no effort to reduce our environmental impact and are committed to fight for sustainability. The unwavering ambition to meet Europe’s CO2 emissions reduction targets (-50%) is one of the main goals of our strategy.

How will we achieve that?

COSUCRA generates its own electricity using a cogeneration system, solar panels and even its own wind turbine;
We reduce our CO2 emissions by using biogas generated from our organic waste;
Our raw materials come from non-GMO crops with low nitrogen fertilizers;
All our ingredients are produced without any solvent;
Inspired by the short-circuit economy, we grow chicory in the region and peas are brought from France, mainly by waterways;
And many other examples of our commitment to sustainable development!

COSUCRA has taken into account the following elements in the design of its new PISANE™ pea protein production line in order to strengthen its commitment and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The whole process aims to make rational use of water.
Upgrade of the equipment used for water purification before it is discharged into the Scheldt river.
Conversion of all the biogas generated in the wastewater treatment plant into green energy.
The biogas currently recovered represents CO2 emissions savings of 2,500 tons.
The lowest environmental standards for particulate emissions can be met thanks to the effective use of filters.
The noise impact was taken into account in the choice and positioning of the equipment required for the extension. The buildings were constructed using noise reducing materials.
Any increase in the supply of peas comes exclusively by water transport.

COSUCRA has begun the process to integrate the Natagora Nature Network. The goal is to develop biodiversity in our basins by adopting the five principles of the Natagora charter. These five principles are:

Stop using synthetic chemical pesticides
Preserve natural environments and refrain from developing human activities leading to their destruction.
Focus on native plants that grow in the wild in my region.
Encourage the spontaneity and diversity of wildlife.
Restrict the growth of invasive exotic species and avoid introducing new ones.

A first field survey revealed the presence of Whinchats (Tariers des prés) in our river basins.

Health through good nutrition

Naturalness, clean-label, “free-from” diet, low-sugar or low-fat foods, fibre or protein supplements, flexitarism, and the list goes on. In all these trends, COSUCRA is an ideal partner, supplying the food industry and the nutrition & health sectors with must-have products.

We believe in the power of nutrition on our health! This is the enthusiasm and knowledge that we want to share and convey to our customers and partners.

COSUCRA takes a stand!

COSUCRA also stands for strong and tangible commitments in various areas, each as important as the next. Whether it is personal safety, environmental impact or food safety, we are proud to have implemented a strong policy within COSUCRA which may take the form of a membership in external networks or the achievement of certifications by meeting the standards in force.

Food safety

Our quality control system is built according to the requirements of the HACCP method and is certified by the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) and according to the FSSC 22000 and FCA standards for all of our factories.

Environmental impact

Our environmental management system is certified according to ISO 14001 standard.

Personal safety

We are developing a risk management system to meet the prevention objectives as set in the current legislation, in all areas of well-being at work.

Corporate social and ethical responsibility

Our COSUCRA Human Resources Management policy complies with all applicable national (Belgian) laws and regulations and the minimum standards of national (Belgian) industry:

Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining;
Prohibition of discrimination;
Health and safety in the workplace;
Prohibition of child labour;
Prohibition of forced labour and disciplinary measures;
Environmental and safety issues for employees and suppliers present on production sites.

In fact, our company is registered on SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange), a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains.

Want to learn more? Find our commitments in full here.

ALL ABOUT COSUCRA

In 2020, as the society we live in acknowledges us as being a critical sector, our mission takes on real meaning.
Up to us to show ourselves worthy of this goal and accountable.
Since our company is organised on the principle of cooperation, this responsibility is borne jointly by all its people, each in their area of expertise and all working towards the fulfilment of a common ambition:
“Together, let’s create a sustainable future for all by sharing our talents with passion.”
We wish to serve you every day in this very mindset.

Jacques CRAHAY, CEO COSUCRA