Ensemble secures €4m investment to triple production capacity

To support an ambition to increase its sales tenfold in the next five years, Tereos is investing €4m in the Marckolsheim plant in Alsace to triple the production capacity of the Ensemble brand’s workshop.

This is the equivalent in production terms of protein intake to 15 million meals per year.

Ensemble wants to add value on a global scale by continuing to develop in US, European and Asian markets on the back of a plant proteins market growing by 8% to 9% per year (global sales trends. Source: Euromonitor).

With a differentiating recipe protected by four patents, the brand continues to focus on an ambitious innovation policy in order to diversify its offer and develop products that are even more tailored to market demand.

Starting next year, Ensemble says it will offer several major innovations including a range specific to seafood flavours.

Made with just five ingredients (wheat protein, chickpeas, sunflower oil, potato fibre and vegetable stock), the Ensemble plant proteins offer is simple, healthy and suitable for all types of recipes, at an affordable price. A source of fibre and low in saturated fats, the range is created to meet market demands, in particular those of new generations looking for plant alternatives to limit the environmental impact of their diet.

An active and quality selection of ingredients that offers the advantage of being locally produced: exclusively in France when the crop is developed there, or in Europe. The production of the Ensemble range consists of 80% French raw materials and notably 90% Alsatian wheat.

“Ensemble comprises a short and simple list of ingredients, Nutri-Score A-rated recipes and a unique texture, locally and responsibly produced,” noted Guillaume Planque, director of Ensemble at Tereos.

“Combined with its long shelf life, excellent heat resistance and affordable price, our range of plant proteins meets all the criteria to truly transform the way we perceive, prepare and consume plant proteins,” Planque explained. “Our ambition is to simplify and enhance the consumption of plant proteins. Thanks to the support and expertise of the Tereos Group, the second largest global producer of wheat proteins, the Ensemble range has all the necessary attributes to grow its sales tenfold over a five-year horizon.”

Distributed on the food services and mass retail circuit through the recipes of national brands as well as distributors, Ensemble posted a 50% growth in its sales compared to the previous year (in volume terms – YTD at end October 2023). The brand does not intend to stop there and will continue to develop its activity with an international focus. The opening of offices in Chicago a few months ago is a first step towards achieving its goal of doubling the share of its international revenue (excluding the European Union), from 30% to 60% by 2028.

While the brand now offers a single recipe in four different formats (sauté, tenders, medallions and strips), 2024 is intended to mark a new milestone in its development with the launch of major innovations to meet market expectations.

Ensemble is currently working on a new recipe with a more neutral taste and lighter colour to add its plant proteins into the products. The reworking will also make the range even more accessible in terms of price. Alongside this, the brand also wishes to launch a customisable offer with a range of tailor-made and ready-to-use sauce dishes.

Lastly, a new range with flavours inspired by the sea, consumable either hot or cold, will be created to allow the brand to establish itself in new markets, in particular Asia.

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