Views: 222 Author: Sara Publish Time: 2025-10-19 Origin: Site
Content Menu
● BENEO: A World-Leading Isomaltulose Manufacturer and Supplier
● Isomaltulose Characteristics and Applications
● Belgium's Role in Isomaltulose Production
● Sustainable Innovation and Expansion
● The Growth Outlook for Isomaltulose
● FAQ
>> 1. What makes isomaltulose different from regular sugar?
>> 2. Who are the top isomaltulose manufacturers in Belgium?
>> 3. What industries use isomaltulose from Belgium?
>> 4. How does BENEO ensure sustainability in its isomaltulose production?
>> 5. Can isomaltulose be used in animal nutrition?
Belgium is a key hub in Europe for the production and supply of functional food ingredients, especially isomaltulose, a natural, low-glycemic sugar alternative that is gaining prominence in the food, beverage, and healthcare industries. Isomaltulose, marketed under the brand name Palatinose™, is a disaccharide carbohydrate derived from beet sugar known for its mild sweetness, slow energy release, and digestive benefits. Belgium hosts some of the top manufacturers and suppliers of isomaltulose, with BENEO, a division of the Südzucker Group, being the most prominent leader in this space.
BENEO specializes in plant-based functional ingredients that support nutrition, health, and sustainable food production. Founded in 2007, BENEO employs over 1,000 people worldwide and markets its products across 80 countries. The company operates multiple production sites, including a major facility in Oreye, Belgium, dedicated to manufacturing functional carbohydrates such as isomaltulose (Palatinose™) and rice starch derivatives. Their Belgian site is renowned for state-of-the-art production capabilities ensuring high quality and food safety standards.
BENEO's commitment to quality and sustainability is reflected in their sourcing of raw materials, primarily sugar beets grown in Belgium under rigorous sustainable farming practices. The company actively participates in collaborative projects like the Climate Farming Project, promoting regenerative agriculture and reducing environmental impact for long-term soil health and biodiversity enhancement. This sustainable approach extends through BENEO's entire value chain, including the energy-efficient operations of their production plants.
Isomaltulose is a unique carbohydrate composed of glucose and fructose linked by a strong glycosidic bond. This bond slows enzymatic breakdown in the intestine, resulting in a gradual glucose release into the bloodstream. This slow digestion makes isomaltulose an excellent ingredient for developing low-glycemic, energy-sustaining products beneficial for people managing blood sugar levels, athletes needing steady energy, and consumers seeking healthier sweeteners.
In food and beverage manufacturing, isomaltulose's mild sweetness and functional benefits make it ideal for use in confectionery, bakery products, dairy, beverages, and nutritional supplements. It supports sugar reduction without compromising taste or texture. Besides human nutrition, BENEO also highlights isomaltulose's benefits in animal feed, where it promotes balanced energy release for improved animal health and performance.
Belgium acts as a strategic production and supply location for isomaltulose due to its agricultural resources and advanced industrial infrastructure. BENEO's Oreye facility exemplifies this synergy, leveraging locally grown sugar beet as the primary raw material source and advanced manufacturing processes to produce Palatinose™ with consistent quality. Furthermore, the facility complies with stringent European food safety and environmental regulations, underscoring Belgium's competitive advantage in clean and sustainable ingredient production.
In addition to BENEO, several ingredient distributors and suppliers based in Belgium provide access to isomaltulose and related natural sweeteners, offering OEM/ODM services in formulation and production for international customers. These companies often focus on tailored product development for the food, beverage, and healthcare industries, underscoring Belgium's role not only in manufacturing but also innovation in health-oriented ingredient solutions.
BENEO continues to invest in expanding its production capacity in Belgium, driven by rising global demand for functional and natural ingredients. Investments have included facility upgrades, addition of production lines, and enhancements in energy efficiency, including the use of renewable energy sources within their factories.
Moreover, BELGIAN manufacturers are integrating circular economy principles to utilize raw material by-products fully and minimize waste, aligning with global sustainability goals. This includes using side-streams from isomaltulose production as functional molasses in animal feed, ensuring zero waste and improved resource efficiency.
With growing consumer awareness about health and wellness, especially around reducing sugar intake without sacrificing flavor, isomaltulose's popularity is forecasted to increase. The European Union's focus on clean label products and regulatory trends banning certain artificial additives highlight the need for natural alternatives like isomaltulose. Belgian manufacturers are well-positioned to meet this demand through innovation, sustainable agriculture partnerships, and advanced production technologies.
Belgium stands out as a major player in the isomaltulose industry, chiefly through BENEO's leadership and commitment to sustainability, quality, and innovation. The country's rich agricultural base and advanced food science capabilities enable the production of high-quality isomaltulose that meets the evolving needs of food, beverage, and healthcare manufacturers worldwide. As demand for healthier, natural sweeteners grows, Belgium's isomaltulose manufacturers and suppliers will maintain a key role driving this important market forward.
Isomaltulose is a disaccharide with a strong bond that breaks down more slowly in the intestine, providing a gradual release of glucose and a lower glycemic response compared to regular sugar, making it suitable for sustained energy and healthier sugar alternatives.
BENEO is the leading isomaltulose manufacturer in Belgium, operating advanced production facilities in Oreye and playing a key role in the international supply of Palatinose™ (isomaltulose).
Isomaltulose is widely used in the food, beverage, dietary supplement, and healthcare industries for products focusing on low-glycemic sweeteners, sustained energy release, and health benefits.
BENEO sources raw materials locally from sustainable farms, invests in energy-efficient production, uses renewable energy, and implements zero-waste processes for ingredient by-products, supporting regenerative agriculture practices.
Yes, isomaltulose acts as a slowly digestible carbohydrate providing balanced energy and improved growth and performance for animals, used in specialized feed formulations.
[1](https://www.beneo.com/animal-nutrition/animal-nutrition-products/functional-carbohydrates-an)
[2](https://www.beneo.com/locations)
[3](https://www.beneo.com)
[4](https://www.beneo.com/news/beneo-inaugurates-new-pulse-processing-plant-2)
[5](https://www.beneo.com/about-us)
[6](https://isomaltulose.org/about-us/)
[7](https://www.beneo.com/news/beneo-sustainable-farming)
[8](https://www.beneo.com/news/beneo-invests-e50-million-in-increasing-capacity-at-wijgmaal-rice-starch-plant)
[9](https://www.beneo.com/human-nutrition/human-nutrition-products/functional-carbohydrates/palatinose/the-science-behind)
[10](https://www.imcd.be/en-US/account/0010O000022umht/suedzucker-group-beneo)
