Tate & Lyle's Partnership for Citrus Pulp Circularity

Every year, approximately one billion tonnes of edible food is discarded globally, highlighting a challenge that could require fundamental changes to how food systems operate. As March 30, 2026, marks United Nations' International Day of Zero Waste, this year's emphasis centred on food and the ways organisations might advance circularity through climate strategies, waste reduction goals and collaborative initiatives between public and private sectors.

In response to these challenges, ingredient solutions provider Tate & Lyle has revealed it is extending its collaboration with Van Triest CirQlar, a move that could support the development of more circular food systems.

Managing co-products from pectin production

Van Triest CirQlar, which operates within animal feed business ForFarmers, focuses on purchasing and selling co-products.

According to the extended agreement, the company will oversee key elements of citrus pulp co-product sales and distribution from Tate & Lyle's pectin production facility located in Großenbrode, Germany.

The facility produces pectin, a nature-based ingredient extracted from citrus fruit peels that originate as a co-product of the juice industry. When pectin is manufactured, nutritious material remains which becomes a citrus pulp co-product.

This material is commonly utilised as animal feed, and Tate & Lyle supplies this natural feed to livestock farmers across northern Germany, potentially helping to reduce waste from the production process.

Roel van Haeren, Managing Director at Van Triest CirQlar Europe, says: "This partnership aligns with our objective to lead in managed co-product value chains and is an important step in further strengthening our relationship with Tate & Lyle. It is a strategic expansion of our activities in Germany and our citrus pulp position in this market. It's exactly how Van Triest CirQlar grows – by professionalising co-product streams and turning them into dependable, circular value."

Building on established operations

Tate & Lyle acquired its Großenbrode facility in 2024, though the site has been supplying farmers in northern Germany with citrus pulp co-products for animal feed for more than 40 years.

This practice could help ensure the beneficial use of a significant residual stream from production while potentially generating additional value for the company.

The ingredient provider previously established a partnership with Van Triest CirQlar for several of its corn-based co-products at its facility in the Netherlands. Through this expanded collaboration, Tate & Lyle aims to strengthen the commercial and operational performance of its co-products.

Sönke Schweiger, Tate & Lyle Plant Director in Großenbrode, says: "At our Großenbrode facility, we turn upcycled citrus peels into high value ingredients and give their co-products a second life – that's circularity in action. With this expanded partnership, we can maximise the commercial and environmental value of our pectin production. By harmonising our co-products models across two sites drawing on external expertise, we can focus on delivering high quality, functional food and drink ingredients that support healthier diets while caring for our planet and making good use of its resources."

Targeting beneficial waste use

The agreement is designed to provide long-term market access and structured pricing for the Großenbrode facility's capacity of citrus pulp co-product, which could reduce commercial risk and increase planning reliability at the site.

Tate & Lyle will draw on Van Triest CirQlar's specialised market expertise, customer network and active market management to potentially optimise value realisation.

This partnership model could bring benefits including strengthening circular value chains and allowing Tate & Lyle to concentrate on its core food and drink ingredient customer offering.

The collaboration forms part of Tate & Lyle's wider sustainability strategy, which focuses on caring for the environment and minimising its impact through its supply chain and operations.

The company has set a target to beneficially use 100% of its waste by 2030, particularly waste from its corn wet milling process. This waste consists of organic matter that can be used as nutrients for animals and land at local farms.

According to the company, By 2025, Tate & Lyle had achieved a 90% share of its waste being beneficially used, supported by its commitment to improve waste management across every one of its sites worldwide.