Bühler Group acquires Endeco, strengthening its plant protein business

SWITZERLAND – Bühler Group has acquired the German engineering company Endeco and its subsidiary, Endeco Protein and Food, thereby strengthening its capabilities in plant-based protein processing and industrial food production technologies.

The acquisition took effect on January 1, 2026, and builds on a partnership between the two companies that began in 2022. 

The move expands Bühler’s protein business by combining Endeco’s expertise in plant engineering and process design with Bühler’s global technology portfolio, market reach and large-scale project execution capabilities.

The companies have collaborated closely over the past several years on customer projects and through the Protein Application Centre located at Bühler’s headquarters in Uzwil, Switzerland.

Together, the partnership has focused on advancing technologies for plant-based protein production, helping customers move from pilot-scale development to commercial manufacturing.

“Endeco brings a strong combination of agility, process expertise, and a highly solution-oriented mindset that complements Bühler’s existing capabilities,” said Mike Häfeli, CEO Business Grains & Food at Bühler Group.

“We see significant potential to create additional value together, not only in proteins, but across other areas of our business,” he added.

The acquisition comes as food manufacturers and ingredient producers continue investing in alternative protein production, driven by growing demand for sustainable food systems and diversified protein sources.

Acquisition expands protein processing capabilities

Endeco has established expertise in plant engineering and processing technologies for starch, protein and food applications, making it a strategic addition to Bühler’s growing protein portfolio.

According to the companies, combining their capabilities will help close technology gaps across the value chain, accelerate innovation, and improve project delivery for customers.

Karl-Heinz Bergmann, Managing Director of Endeco, said the acquisition would enable the company to support more industrial-scale protein projects while maintaining its existing operating model.

“We have been working with Bühler for years, so this is a logical next step,” Bergmann said.

“We share the same ambition of getting plant-based protein out of the pilot plant and into industrial-scale production. What changes is that we can now do more of that, faster, and for more customers.”

Following the acquisition, the company will operate as Endeco, a Bühler company.

Existing customers in Germany’s starch and dairy sectors will continue working with the same teams, while both companies gradually increase collaboration on joint projects.

As part of the integration process, the Protein Application Centre will join Bühler’s Special Grains and Pulses business unit.

Growing focus on alternative protein production

The acquisition reflects continued investment in processing technologies that support the development of plant-based foods and protein ingredients.

As demand for alternative proteins derived from pulses, legumes, and other plant sources grows, food manufacturers increasingly require scalable processing solutions that can produce consistent, high-quality ingredients at commercial volumes.

Bühler has expanded its presence in this segment in recent years through investments in protein-processing technologies, research facilities, and partnerships designed to help customers commercialise new protein products.

By integrating Endeco’s engineering expertise with its own technology platform, Bühler aims to strengthen its position as a provider of end-to-end solutions for protein processing.

The acquisition also highlights growing consolidation in the food processing technology sector, as equipment suppliers seek to broaden their capabilities and support the scaling of next-generation food production systems.

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