Sensus expands into green and health-promoting fiber ingredients with Unlock 25

25 Feb 2022 --- Dutch chicory root producer Sensus unveils its new Cosun strategy “Unlock 25.” It will expand its chicory root fiber manufacturing capacity and rise to growing consumer demand for health and wellness-inspired food products.

“If you look at applications we see growth everywhere as many customers are looking to make their products ‘better for you’. You see this in all segments like bakery, cereal bars, supplements, ice cream, dairy and dairy alternatives and confectionery,” Paul Vennik, director of marketing and sales at Sensus, tells NutritionInsight.

“Besides consumers looking for healthier products, there is also an impact from legislation and regulations. Sugar tax, for example, or being able to meet a certain Nutri-Score are seriously affecting ingredient choices of food producers,” Vennik explains.

The company expects the demand to continue to grow significantly in the coming years. Its objective with “Unlock 25” is to get ahead of the growth curve and meet consumer demand for green and health promoting ingredients.Chicory root fiber is used in many plant-based health products.

Scaling “better-for-you” products for manufacturers
By increasing the availability of chicory root fiber, Sensus is able to help food manufacturers make better-for-you products more widely available to consumers. Products containing the plant-based chicory root fiber, a prebiotic food ingredient, are expected to grow exponentially.

Chicory root fiber is helpful in improving taste and texture in plant-based food products while serving as an effective way to reduce sugar and fat. In addition, this type of fiber has also shown its ability to support a healthy microbiome and strengthens the gut and the immune system. 

“We have seen significant interest in soluble fibers due to consumers’ increasing interest in healthier food. We have also seen new entrants in the market but the unique properties of chicory inulin and the versatility of this fiber has resulted in the demand for inulin exceeding market expectations and demand for other dietary fibers,” explains Vennik.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, health remains a priority and the demand for plant-based and wellness food products becomes more challenging to meet.

“We also see that our customers want natural, plant based solutions for sugar reduction and improving gut health. Don’t forget that chicory inulin is, to date, the only recognized plant based prebiotic by ISAPP,” Vennik continues. 

The “Unlock 25” strategy also enables further investment across its sustainability programs. As part of Royal Cosun, Sensus will continue to partner with its growers to develop tools for sustainable chicory cultivation, such as mechanization, robotization, and automation.

“We feel we have the right structure and agricultural background that allows us to meet the fast growing demand for plant based soluble fiber by organic growth,” Vennik says.

“We have a long history of cooperation with a group of dedicated chicory farmers in north western Europe.”

In addition, the Cosun strategy will further Sensus’ commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations at its manufacturing facilities and achieve a carbon neutral footprint. 

By Inga de Jong