Exploring sustainability and innovation: a field trip to european feed, grain and biofuel facilities
Complementary activity to the RTRS 2024 International Conference
RTRS, in collaboration with BFA, organized a field trip to key facilities in Ghent and Waregem. The visit included Leievoeders, Euro-Silo, and Alco Bio Fuel—three companies that exemplify sustainability and innovation in the European agro-industrial sector. During the trip, BFA provided an insightful overview of Belgium’s feed industry.
This initiative provided participants with a firsthand look at soybean processing, bulk storage solutions, and the specific demands of the European agricultural market. Marking the first industry-focused field trip by RTRS, the event highlighted the importance of connecting stakeholders with real-world examples of agricultural innovation.
Leievoeders: modern innovation meets sustainability
Located in Waregem, near Ghent, Leievoeders is a family-owned business that has grown from a small pig farming enterprise with 50 hectares into Belgium’s third-largest feed producer. Under the leadership of Rik Vandeputte, the second generation of the family, the company now delivers feed for pigs, poultry, and cattle across the region.
“Good raw materials at a fair price are the foundation of our production,” said Rik Vandeputte, president of Leievoeders and the president of the Belgian Feed Association (BFA). “Every day, we distribute our production using 40 to 60 trucks, ensuring timely delivery to farmers. About 20% of our production is destined for northern France, which is a key market for us.”
Leievoeders has expanded its operations to include logistics support for farmers, processing raw materials—primarily sourced from traders in the Netherlands—and completing the cycle with biogas plants that produce energy. However, the company faces challenges such as shrinking farm sizes, reduced net margins, and difficulty in hiring skilled workers. Despite these hurdles, Rik remains optimistic about the future of the sector, emphasizing consolidation and sustainable practices as key drivers.
Since taking the helm in 2002, Rik has steered Leievoeders towards aligning its practices with European sustainability standards, leveraging its strategic location near major ports like Gent and Rotterdam to access international markets.
Insights from the Belgian feed sector
During the field trip, Katrien D’hooghe, Managing Director of BFA, provided an in-depth overview of Belgium’s feed sector. Representing 129 feed manufacturers responsible for producing 6.5 million tons of feed annually—96% of Belgium’s total feed production—the BFA plays a pivotal role in the industry.
“Belgium is the seven largest feed producing country in Europe,” said Katrien. “Europe imports between 30 and 35 million tons of soy and soy byproducts annually, primarily from Brazil and Argentina, with smaller volumes from US, Canada and India. Especially for young animals, such as poultry and piglets, soy as a protein source remains indispensable due to its high nutritional value, which is challenging to replace,” she added.
Katrien also highlighted key trends and challenges in the sector:
- Declining market: The animal production sector faces environmental, political, and market-driven pressures.
- Aging workforce: With an average farmer age of 57, only 12% of farms have successors.
- Farm evolution: While the number of farms is declining, individual farm sizes are increasing. However, due to environmental constraints, a decreasing number of farm animals is to be expected.
Sustainability commitments
BFA has been a pioneer in sustainable soy certification since 2009. In 2024, the association purchased 500,000 sustainable soy certificates to ensure that the Belgian market for meat, milk, eggs, and some export products is fully covered. “By 2027, 85% of all soy used by Belgian feed manufacturers will comply with the FEFAC Soy Guidelines and Deforestation-Free Criteria, with a target of 100% by 2030,” Katrien explained.
“This marks another significant step towards sustainable feed production in Belgium. Together, we are working for a more sustainable future,” she concluded.
Euro-Silo and Alco Bio Fuel: sustainability and traceability at scale
Located at the Port of Ghent, Euro-Silo is a company founded in 1968, with the Vanden Avenne family as the majority shareholder (80%) and Cargill (20%). Euro-Silo specializes in bulk storage solutions and the handling of agricultural products. With 75 employees, the company operates two terminals, Sifferdok and Rodenhuize, with a total storage capacity of 650,000 tons and a turnover of 4.2 million tons annually.
Their product range includes soy derivatives, corn, wheat, rapeseed, peas, and linseed, among others. Euro-Silo’s silo systems cater to the storage of grains and other bulk materials, addressing logistical challenges related to transportation and supply chain efficiency.
Over the years, Euro-Silo has continuously adapted to evolving market demands, with a strong focus on sustainability and traceability. By adhering to strict European standards, the company has positioned itself as a trusted partner for environmentally conscious consumers and markets.
The tour of Euro-Silo was led by Karel Vandermeersch, Managing Director of Vanden Avenne Commodities NV and a member of the Board of Directors of Alco Bio Fuel NV, along with Johan Gereels, Quality Coordinator at Vanden Avenne Commodities and Thierry Cardon, commercial manager of Euro-Silo.
“We provide agribusinesses with a reliable and efficient gateway for importing, storing, and distributing agricultural commodities into Europe,” stated Karel. “With two terminals in Ghent, we offer our customers fast unloading of vessels, flexible storage, and multi-modal distribution facilities,” he added.
Euro-Silo operates large-scale storage and transshipment facilities in the Port of Ghent. These facilities are crucial for handling bulk goods, such as raw materials used in biofuel production. Vanden Avenne’s key business activities involve the storage and distribution of raw materials, facilitated by Euro-Silo’s infrastructure. This partnership highlights the importance of logistics in industries like biofuel production, where raw materials are essential.
Alco Bio Fuel
Alco Bio Fuel (ABF) is Belgium’s major biorefinery, specializing in grain processing. Located in Ghent, the company focuses on processing corn into bioethanol, animal feed, CO2, and other by-products.
With an annual production capacity of 295 million cubic meters of fuel ethanol, Alco Bio Fuel plays a significant role in the biofuels sector, particularly as an additive for gasoline (up to 10% in E10).
The main raw material for Alco Bio Fuel is corn, with an annual intake of 700,000 tons, 100,000 of which is sourced locally. Its by-products include DDGS (170,000 tons per year), Wet DDGS (100,000 tons per year), Corn Oil (5,000 tons per year), and CO2 (160,000 tons per year).
With an investment of €145 million, Alco Bio Fuel has been operational since 2008. The company is owned by Alcogroup (60%) and Vanden Avenne/Vandema (40%).
The raw materials used for production, including corn, are handled and stored by Euro-Silo, ensuring an efficient logistical flow for ABF. Additionally, the ethanol produced by Alco Bio Fuel is transported via the Evos terminal in Ghent. This collaboration demonstrates how interconnected the logistics, storage, and production sectors are in Belgium’s biofuel industry.
The production process at Alco Bio Fuel involves several key stages, starting with grain storage. The process then progresses through cleaning and milling, followed by mashing, cooking, and liquefaction. The next steps include fermentation, distillation, and dehydration, essential for converting raw materials into bioethanol. Afterward, centrifugation is employed to separate impurities, followed by evaporation and drying. Finally, the process concludes with pelletization, ensuring the by-products, such as DDGS, are ready for distribution.
This immersive experience provided participants of the RTRS International Conference who attended the field trip with a deeper appreciation of the sustainable practices embraced by these companies. From innovative animal feed production to cutting-edge bulk storage solutions, Leievoeders and Euro-Silo exemplify the potential of sustainable models to drive progress in the agricultural and soy supply chains.
