New plant-based strategy, Südzucker’s BENEO rice protein targets clean-label demand

Südzucker’s ingredients arm BENEO is leaning into plant-based nutrition with its rice protein range, targeting sports nutrition, dairy alternatives and bakery brands that want allergen-free, clean-label formulations.

Edited by ad hoc news New Releases & Launches Desk. Reviewed before publication on 06/16/2026 at 3:43 AM ET. Details in the imprint.

With consumer demand for plant-based and allergen-free foods still growing, Südzucker’s ingredients subsidiary BENEO is pushing its rice protein portfolio as a clean-label option for sports powders, dairy alternatives and bakery applications. The company positions BENEO’s rice protein as a non-GMO, gluten-free and hypoallergenic protein source derived from rice, aimed at food manufacturers that want to replace or complement soy and dairy proteins in high-protein formulations.

What BENEO rice protein is designed to deliver

BENEO, part of Südzucker, markets its rice protein range primarily to food and beverage manufacturers as a plant-based protein ingredient extracted from rice and supplied as a dry powder with a protein content typically around 80 percent, depending on the grade. According to BENEO’s own product information, the rice protein is positioned as an easily digestible, neutral-tasting ingredient that can be used in protein shakes, cereal bars, baked goods and meat or dairy alternatives, giving formulators flexibility across multiple categories. BENEO’s official product page highlights that the ingredient is suitable for vegan and vegetarian products and can support on-pack protein claims in finished foods.

A key selling point is its allergen profile: rice is not one of the major allergens that must be declared in many jurisdictions, which allows manufacturers to design recipes that are free from common triggers such as soy, dairy and gluten. Industry coverage of plant protein trends notes that rice protein is often used in combination with other plant proteins like pea to achieve a more complete amino acid profile while still maintaining a clean-label positioning focused on simple ingredient lists. Reports in the specialist food ingredients press have described BENEO’s broader rice ingredient platform as a way for Südzucker to capture value in higher-margin nutrition segments beyond traditional sugar.

From a processing standpoint, BENEO emphasizes that its rice protein is designed to disperse and hydrate well in liquids, which is critical for applications like ready-to-drink shakes and high-protein beverages where gritty textures are a common consumer complaint. The company also points out that rice protein can help with structure and texture in bakery and cereal products, supporting soft crumb or crunchy structures depending on the formulation, which makes it relevant for manufacturers that want to boost protein without significantly altering mouthfeel in established recipes.

Commercially, BENEO’s rice protein is sold in bulk to B2B customers rather than directly to consumers, with pricing typically negotiated in contracts and influenced by raw material and processing costs rather than a fixed MSRP per retail pack. BENEO distributes the ingredient globally, with a focus on Europe and North America, and integrates rice protein into its broader portfolio of functional ingredients such as chicory root fiber and specialty carbohydrates, allowing brand owners to source multiple nutrition and texturizing components from a single supplier. Market analysts covering plant-based ingredients have noted that Südzucker uses BENEO to diversify away from cyclical sugar markets, tapping into higher-growth areas like sports nutrition, dairy alternatives and better-for-you snacks where demand for plant-based protein continues to expand. Südzucker’s own segment overview shows BENEO grouped in the Special Products division alongside starches and other higher-value ingredients.

Within Südzucker’s portfolio, BENEO’s rice protein sits at the intersection of two strategic trends: plant-based diets and value-added specialty ingredients. Management has repeatedly highlighted, in presentations to investors and analysts, that the Special Products segment, which includes BENEO, is intended to provide more resilient earnings than the cyclical sugar business by serving branded food and beverage companies that sign longer-term supply agreements. For investors tracking Südzucker, rice protein is a relatively small product in absolute volume but representative of the group’s pivot toward functional ingredients with stronger structural growth drivers.

Südzucker AG is listed on the regulated market in Frankfurt, trading on Xetra under the ISIN DE0007297004; shares closed at EUR 13.14 on 06/13/2026, according to current market data from the Deutsche Börse.

BENEO rice protein in brief: key facts

• Product: BENEO rice protein
• Manufacturer: Südzucker AG (via BENEO)
• Category: New Release/Launch - plant-based B2B ingredient
• Launch date: Rice protein added to BENEO’s portfolio over recent years as part of its plant-based expansion; specific first market introduction not disclosed
• MSRP / Price: Contract-based B2B pricing, dependent on volume and specification; no public MSRP
• Availability: Supplied globally to food and beverage manufacturers, with a focus on Europe and North America
• Target audience: Industrial customers in sports nutrition, dairy alternatives, bakery, cereals and meat alternatives
• Key differentiator / USP: Plant-based, non-GMO, gluten-free and hypoallergenic protein powder from rice, aimed at clean-label formulations

This article was a.i.-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Trading involves risk up to and including the total loss of invested capital.