Efko Group to invest 2.6 bln rubles in producing emulsifiers in Voronezh Region to replace imports
VORONEZH. Aug 4 (Interfax) - Efko Group, one of Russia's largest food producers, has begun implementing an investment project to set up production of emulsifiers at its Yevdakovo plant in Kamenka, Voronezh Region at a cost of 2.6 billion rubles, the company's press service reported.
At the initial stage, the company plans to produce six types of high-tech ingredients needed in the food and cosmetics industries, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and other sectors. This refers to several varieties of emulsifiers, as well as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) used in production of children's and sport nutrition products, the company said.
In future, Efko plans to expand the assortment, including with technology solutions for ice cream makers.
Once it reaches design capacity, the plant is expected to produce more than 8,000 tonnes of product per year.
"The goal of the new project is to create efficient and environmentally safe production of emulsifiers and medium-chain triglycerides to ensure the Russian market's independence from imports. At present, the mentioned food ingredients are 100% imported. We plan to supply 70% of this market with domestic product by 2029," Efko CEO Yevgeny Lyashenko said in the press release.
The new production line will create more than 50 jobs and generate 1.6 billion rubles of tax revenue at all levels of government over ten years, the company said.
Efko specializes in processing oil crops, including sunflower, soybeans and rapeseed, and producing bottled oils, fats and margarines, mayonnaise and ketchup. The company's production facilities, which are located in the Belgorod, Voronezh, Lipetsk and Sverdlovsk regions, Krasnodar Territory and Kazakhstan, have the capacity to process over 4.5 million tonnes of oil crops annually.
The company is diversifying its business through its innovation center, developing plant-based meat and milk, and making venture capital investments in foodtech and biotech. The group's annual turnover exceeds 275 billion rubles.
