Reduce costs without compromising on quality - Brenntag's innovative approach to optimize your baking recipes

Rising raw material and energy costs, stricter clean label requirements and growing consumer demands - the food industry must constantly adapt. Bakeries in particular are faced with the challenge of offering healthier recipes and innovative products while maintaining quality and profitability. How can companies master this balancing act? What solutions are there for efficient and sustainable production? Frank Sweningson and Jessica Wiertz, from Brenntag Food & Nutrition, provide the answers. 
 
Germany can look back on a centuries-old bread culture, but challenges are weighing on the competitiveness of the baking industry. Are there concrete solutions? How can Brenntag Food & Nutrition support companies to remain competitive? 

Frank Sweningson: Our strength lies in developing customized solutions for the individual challenges of our customers. One example is improving the freshness of baked goods. By using specific raw materials, the microbial shelf life can be extended. Plant fibers and enzymes help to maintain crumb softness throughout the entire shelf life. 

Jessica Wiertz: We also offer a wide range of raw materials for vegan alternatives and develop cost-efficient solutions for our customers - for example, egg substitutes for a wide variety of applications or vegan gloss coatings that are even suitable for frozen products.We make sure that our solutions are perfectly tailored to the customer's production conditions. 

When it comes to baked goods in particular, taste and quality must not be compromised - how can raw material costs be reduced while maintaining the same quality? 

Jessica Wiertz: A very good example is one of our solutions for fat reduction.We tested it in a sponge cake with cherries - with surprising results: the fat-reduced version was perceived as even better by testers! In addition, the Nutri-Score of the product was improved from D to C. 

Frank Sweningson: That's exactly our approach: we optimize recipes so that our customers can reduce their costs while keeping or even improving product quality. 

A convincing result - how and where are these solutions developed? 

Jessica Wiertz: Our European network of Food Innovation & Application Centers develops individual solutions that are precisely tailored to the specific production conditions of each customer. Our experts work closely with our customers' product development teams to deliver practical concepts and product samples. 

Frank Sweningson: One example of an innovative solution is the reduction of expensive cocoa. Through a clever combination of cocoa fibres, caramel colors and locust bean gum, the cocoa content in recipes can be reduced by up to 30% - without sacrificing taste. 

What trends and regulatory changes will shape the industry in the coming years? 

Jessica Wiertz: The clean label movement will continue to grow, which means that many manufacturers will have to adapt their recipes. Possible new declaration requirements for enzymes and additives could also lead to a revision of existing products. 

Frank Sweningson: We at Brenntag Food & Nutrition are ready for these developments and support our customers in finding innovative and economically viable solutions. Because one thing is clear: the demands on the food industry are increasing - and with the right partners at their side, companies can successfully meet these challenges. 

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About Brenntag Food & Nutrition:  

With tailor-made solutions, innovative approaches and a strong network of experts, Brenntag Food & Nutrition helps bakeries and food producers to make their products more sustainable, cost-efficient and even better - without compromising on quality and taste. Thanks to its global reach and local expertise, Brenntag Food & Nutrition can source and supply an extremely comprehensive range of high-quality nutrients to meet the changing needs of customers. 

About Brenntag: 

Brenntag is the global market leader in the distribution of chemicals and ingredients. The company plays a central role in connecting customers and suppliers in the chemical industry. Headquartered in Essen, Germany, Brenntag has more than 18,100 employees worldwide and operates a network of around 600 locations in over 70 countries. In 2024, Brenntag achieved sales of EUR 16.2 billion. Our two global divisions, Brenntag Essentials and Brenntag Specialties, offer a broad and diversified portfolio of industrial and specialty chemicals and ingredients as well as tailored application, marketing and supply chain solutions, technical and formulation support, comprehensive regulatory expertise and digital solutions for a wide range of industries. Brenntag pursues ambitious sustainability goals and is committed to sustainable solutions in its own sector and in the industries it supplies. The Brenntag share has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2010 and on the DAX since September 2021. In addition, the Brenntag SE share is listed in the DAX 30 ESG and DAX ESG Target. Further information can be found at www.brenntag.com.