Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV

What Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV does

Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV is Belgium's largest sugar producer and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Südzucker AG (acquired 1989), headquartered in Tienen. The company operates six specialised production sites across Belgium (Tienen, Wanze, Longchamps, Merksem, Oostkamp) and the Netherlands (Wijchen), employs approximately 600 people directly (supporting ~6,000 indirect jobs), and processes locally cultivated sugar beets from ~3,500 contracted growers operating within a ~50 km radius across 35,000–45,000 hectares of beet fields. Production centres on a beet-to-sugar value chain anchored by a state-of-the-art 38-metre vertical diffusion tower commissioned in 2023 (capacity ~14,500 tonnes/day, 25% lower energy consumption vs. legacy drums), a European-first 4 MW high-temperature industrial heat pump installed in 2025 that recovers waste heat at 140°C, biomethane injection into the public gas grid, and an underground pipeline connecting the Longchamps rasping facility directly to the Wanze sugar factory.

The product portfolio spans consumer brands (Harde Klontje — a unique-in-the-world hard sugar cube produced for over 100 years — plus Fijne Bietsuiker, Parelsuiker, Bloemsuiker, Cassonade Graeffe, geleisuikers, and the newly launched Ruwe Bietsuiker), specialty brands (Candico candied sugars and cane sugar, Lebbe fondant and specialty coatings, Rafti liquid sugars), industrial bulk sugar and custom formulations (fondants, syrups, liquid sugars), and full co-product valorization (beet pulp and beet tails for animal feed, schuimaarde/neutrafertil lime fertilizer, molasses for fermentation industries, and >1 billion litres of recovered water annually). The company holds IFS Food, BRCGS Food Safety, FCA, FAVV, and GDPR certifications, with continuous quality control coordinated by a central Tienen laboratory operating under ICUMSA standards.

The business model is B2B-tilted: approximately 90% of production is sold to industrial customers (food producers, beverage manufacturers, bakeries, chocolate makers, and pharmaceutical/chemical companies) in bulk, bigbags (up to 1,000 kg), bags (25 kg), boxes (5–50 kg), and containers, with international reach delivered via the Südzucker group network. The remaining ~10% is sold through all major Belgian retail chains under the Tiense Suiker, Candico, Lebbe, and Rafti brands. Revenue is generated via transactional per-unit pricing under direct sales/account management; industrial pricing is not publicly listed. Adjacent monetisation includes factory tours during the beet campaign (€7/person, free for schools), agronomic advisory services to beet growers, and emerging water-utilities optionality via the NEW WATER Interreg project.

Name

Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV

Legal name

Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV

Website

https://tiensesuikerraffinaderij.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1836

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Belgium's largest sugar producer, Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV processes locally grown sugar beets into refined sugar, specialty sugars, and co-products for industrial food/beverage manufacturers and Belgian retail customers across six sites in Belgium and the Netherlands, as part of Südzucker Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sugar Refining and Manufacturing

NAICS

Beet Sugar Manufacturing (311313), Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing (31134), Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113), Sugar Beet Farming (111991)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Beet Sugar (Raw & Refined) (AFAJAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sugar Confectionery (Gummies, Hard Candy, Chews) (CRADABAB), Sweeteners (Sugar, HFCS, Alternative Sweeteners) (CRADAOAB), Sugar Beet Farming (AFAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Sugar refining
• Beet sugar production
• Industrial sugar supply
• Specialty sugar products
• Sugar co-products

Headquarters

HQ city

Tienen

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bulk Sugar Sales to Industrial Customers: Approximately 90% of production is destined for industrial buyers including beverage, chocolate, and bakery sectors. Sugar is sold in bulk, bigbags (up to 1,000 kg), bags (25 kg), and boxes (5–50 kg).
2. Consumer Retail Sugar Products: Branded consumer products sold through all major Belgian retail chains including Harde Klontje (iconic hard sugar lumps), Fijne Bietsuiker, Cassonade Graeffe (brown sugar), Parelsuiker, Bloemsuiker, geleisuikers, and Ti-Pleasure klontjes.
3. Specialty Sugars (Candico and Lebbe): Candico produces candied sugars and syrups at the Merksem site; Lebbe Sugar Specialties produces fondant sugars and specialty coatings at Oostkamp for candy and pastry industries. Rafti Sugar Solutions in Wijchen produces liquid sugars for beverage producers.
4. Co-products (Animal Feed, Fertilizer, Molasses): Beet pulp sold as animal feed (veeVoeder), beet tails as animal feed, schuimaarde (foam earth/neutrafertil) sold as calcium-rich fertilizer, and molasses sold to alcohol, yeast, citric acid producers and animal feed manufacturers.
5. Factory Tours (Beet Campaign Season): Factory visits offered October to December during the beet campaign at €7 per person. School visits are free.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV refines sugar from locally cultivated sugar beets into a broad portfolio of consumer and industrial sugar products. Approximately 90% of output is sold as bulk and customized sugar to industrial customers in food, beverage, bakery, chocolate, and pharmaceutical sectors; the remainder is sold to Belgian consumers under the Tiense Suiker and Candico brands via major retail chains. Co-products such as beet pulp, molasses, and calcium-rich fertilizer are also commercialized to animal feed, fermentation, and fertilizer markets.

Product overview

Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV is Belgium's largest sugar producer, manufacturing sugar from locally cultivated sugar beets. The product portfolio consists of consumer-facing products under the Tiense Suiker brand (including Harde Klontje, Fijne Bietsuiker, Parelsuiker, Bloemsuiker, Cassonade Graeffe, and Geleisuikers), specialty candied sugars and cane sugar products under the Candico sub-brand, industrial bulk sugar and custom sugar solutions, and liquid sugars at Rafti Sugar Solutions in the Netherlands. The company also valorizes all co-products from the sugar beet including beet pulp for animal feed, fertilizer (schuimaarde), and molasses for fermentation industries. Products are manufactured across 6 sites in Belgium and the Netherlands, with 90% of production destined for industrial customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Candico: Specialty sugars produced according to centuries-old principles, based on artisanal craftsmanship. Produces candied sugar and cane sugar products, including organic and Fair Trade options.
• Lebbe Sugar Specialties
• Rafti Sugar Solutions

Products and services

• Harde Klontje Iconic hard sugar cube produced for over 100 years using a unique in-house pressing process; a Belgian specialty sold to consumers via retail chains.
• Fijne Bietsuiker (Fine Beet Sugar) Standard white crystalline sugar made from locally cultivated sugar beets, sold to consumers through Belgian retail chains.
• Parelsuiker (Pearl Sugar) Coarse, hard sugar granules essential for authentic Belgian Liège waffles and other bakery applications; produced in Tienen.
• Bloemsuiker / Poedersuiker (Icing Sugar) Finely ground sugar used for dusting, glazes, and toppings, sold to consumers through retail.
• Cassonade Graeffe Brown sugar known as 'kinnekessuiker', crafted using a traditional artisanal method and sold to Belgian consumers.
• Geleisuikers (Jam Sugars) Specialty sugar formulations designed for home jam making, sold in retail packs.
• Ruwe Bietsuiker (Raw Beet Sugar) Raw beet sugar with a rougher texture and unique taste, entirely cultivated and produced in Belgium, targeting consumers seeking local and sustainable alternatives to cane sugar.
• Candico Kandijsuiker (Candied Sugar) Specialty candied sugars produced under the Candico sub-brand using centuries-old artisanal methods, including organic and Fair Trade variants.
• Candico Rietsuiker (Cane Sugar) Candico cane sugar products offered in packages or cubes, including organic and Fair Trade certified options.
• Candico Kandijsiroop (Candied Syrup) Specialty candied syrup products sold under the Candico brand.
• Industrial Bulk Sugar (Kristalsuiker) Crystalline sugar sold in bulk (silo, truck, train), bigbags up to 1,000 kg, 25 kg bags, 5-50 kg boxes, and containers to industrial buyers in beverages, chocolate, and bakery sectors.
• Fondantsuiker (Fondant Sugar) Specialty sugar coatings used in confectionery and patisserie, produced by Lebbe Sugar Specialties at Oostkamp for candy and pastry industries.
• Vloeibare Suikers (Liquid Sugars) Liquid sugars and syrups produced at Rafti Sugar Solutions in Wijchen (Netherlands) for B2B customers such as soft drink producers and confectionery manufacturers.
• Bietenpulp / Perspulp (Beet Pulp) Animal feed produced from the remaining pulp after sugar extraction from cossettes, sold to the feed industry.
• Bietenstaartjes (Beet Tails) Small roots trimmed from sugar beets, sold as animal feed.
• Schuimaarde / Neutrafertil (Fertilizer) Lime-rich fertilizer produced from calcareous filtration residue of the sugar purification process, valued by farmers.
• Melasse (Molasses) Residual syrup after sugar crystallization, sold to alcohol, yeast, citric acid producers, and animal feed manufacturers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% reduction in energy consumption for the extraction process compared to old horizontal diffusion drums
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• De WatergroepcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025De Watergroep and Tiense Suikerraffinaderij are jointly developing the Tiense Watervelden project, converting process water from sugar beet processing into drinking water. De Watergroep will operate a water treatment station to produce drinking water from purified beet process water. The project also includes the NEW WATER Interreg project (€3.99M EU funding) focused on alternative drinking water sources across Northwest Europe.
• BENEOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024BENEO (functional ingredients manufacturer from chicory and rice) and Tiense Suikerraffinaderij are co-developing the Climate Farming Project together with Puratos. The project supports Belgian farmers in adopting regenerative agriculture principles across 15 pilot farms covering more than 1,100 football fields of sugar beets, wheat, and chicory. BENEO is also a sister company within the Südzucker Group.
• PuratoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Puratos (world leader in bakery, patisserie, and chocolate ingredients) joined Tiense Suikerraffinaderij and BENEO in launching the Climate Farming Project to support Belgian farmers in adopting regenerative agriculture. The project runs through end 2025 and involves 15 pilot farms.
• GEA (Grammer Electronic Automation)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023GEA manufactured and supplied the European-first industrial high-temperature heat pump installed at the Tienen factory in 2025. The GEA heat pump can reach temperatures of 135–160°C, a significant advancement over conventional heat pumps typically limited to 95°C.
• Südzucker AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989Since 1989, Tiense Suikerraffinaderij has been part of Südzucker AG, Europe's largest sugar producer headquartered in Mannheim, Germany. Südzucker operates in five segments: sugar, special products, CropEnergies (bio-ethanol), starch, and fruit. The Sugar Division (16 factories, ~3,700 employees) is the group's core. In Belgium, Südzucker is represented by Tiense Suikerraffinaderij, Beneo, and BioWanze.
• KU LeuvencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKU Leuven participates in the NEW WATER Interreg project as a research partner, working with Tiense Suikerraffinaderij and De Watergroep to develop and validate water purification technologies for converting beet process water into safe drinking water.
• VITO (Vlaams Instituut voor Technologisch Onderzoek)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVITO participates in the NEW WATER Interreg project alongside 16 partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany, focusing on innovative water treatment technologies for producing drinking water from alternative sources including beet process water.
• KBIVB (Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut tot Verbetering van de Biet)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTiense Suikerraffinaderij works closely with KBIVB to guide sugar beet cultivation, ensure seed quality approval, and promote sustainable farming practices. All beet seeds must be approved by KBIVB before sowing.
• CRA-W (Centre de Recherche d'Agriculture - Wallonie)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRA-W collaborates with Tiense Suikerraffinaderij's agronomists and KBIVB to develop new cultivation techniques and improve sustainability of sugar beet farming in Belgium.
• PIBO (Proefplatform voor Intensieve Bedrijfszekerheid en Ontwikkeling)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIBO collaborates on the development of new cultivation techniques for sugar beets, working with the company's agronomists to improve sustainable farming practices.
• Provinciale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (POM) Vlaams-BrabantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOM Vlaams-Brabant leads the NEW WATER Interreg project and provides strategic coordination. The project was approved with €3.99M in EU funding and involves 16 partners across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tereos: French cooperative sugar producer with beet and cane processing across Europe and internationally. Direct peer in industrial sugar supply, ethanol, and co-product valorization at scale.
• Pfeifer & Langen: German sugar producer (Kölner Zucker, Diamant brands) with beet processing and branded retail sugar across multiple EU markets. Direct peer in beet sugar manufacturing and consumer sugar branding.
• Nordzucker: One of Europe's largest beet sugar producers, operating sugar factories across Northern Europe. Directly comparable beet-sugar manufacturing, industrial bulk supply, and consumer branded sugar business.
• British Sugar: UK's sole beet sugar processor, owned by ABF. Operates multiple beet factories with industrial bulk sugar, co-products (animal feed, bioethanol), and branded retail sugar — comparable scale and integrated beet-to-product model.
• Cosun Beet Company (Royal Cosun): Dutch cooperative operating Suiker Unie's beet sugar factories in the Netherlands. Closest geographic direct peer, sharing the Dutch/Belgian beet supply region and serving overlapping industrial and retail customers.

Broad incumbents

• Ingredion: Global ingredient solutions provider of sweeteners, starches, and plant-based proteins. Comparable as an industrial-scale sweetener supplier to food, beverage, and pharma customers.
• Roquette: French global leader in starch and polyols/sweeteners from corn, wheat, and pea. Comparable as a European industrial sweetener/specialty-ingredient supplier serving food, beverage, and pharma customers.
• Südzucker AG: Parent company and Europe's largest sugar producer (16 factories, ~3,700 Sugar Division employees). Directly comparable as the group's Sugar Division operating model that Tiense Suiker exemplifies.
• Tate & Lyle: Global sweetener and food ingredients company with specialty sweeteners serving beverage and food manufacturers. Comparable as industrial sweetener supplier to the same B2B beverage and confectionery customers.
• Louis Dreyfus Company: Global agri-commodity merchant with significant cane sugar operations. Comparable in global sugar trading and bulk industrial supply, though primarily cane rather than beet.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tiensesuiker
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TienseSuiker
• Facebookfacebook.com/tiensesuikersucresdetirlemont
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rafti-sugar-solutions
• Instagraminstagram.com/tiensesuiker_sucresdetirlemont

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tiense Suikerraffinaderij NV