Soufflet Malt invests €100 Million in India to build a new AI-driven malthouse for the food and beverage sector

New tech-driven malt production facility to create jobs, support local barley farmers and strengthen India’s food and beverage supply chain

Soufflet Malt, the world's leading maltster, today announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art malting facility in South Rajasthan, India, as part of a €100 million (₹1,200 crore) investment to support India’s fast-growing food and beverage sector.

Promoting 'malt at every moment of the day' is core to the company's MALTiply 2030 strategy set to unleash the potential of this versatile, nutritious and sustainable ingredient into the wider food and beverage categories. The new facility will play a key role in strengthening India’s local malt supply for leading beer, distilling, food and beverage brands, with customer contracts already secured.

Expansion and employment

The facility will have an initial malt production capacity of 110,000 tonnes per year with plans for a second phase expansion to increase capacity. The first phase of the malthouse is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2028.

The new malthouse will generate significant employment opportunities, creating 400 direct and indirect jobs, along with 700 positions across the supply chain. The company’s robust ecosystem, including logistics providers and warehousing partners, will support additional industries and entrepreneurship in Rajasthan.

Powered by AI

The new malthouse will be driven by MALTimize, Soufflet Malt’s digitalization platform, to process data insights and analytics, improving malthouse performance. A proven AI-powered recommendation tool enables maltsters to optimise process duration, analyze yield performance, and monitor both energy consumption and energy mix usage, improving quality and yield. Effective implementation of advanced technologies is a key pillar of the company's MALTiply 2030 strategy which champions digital innovation and operational excellence.

Farmer-centric model

Since 2016, Soufflet Malt’s agronomists have been on the ground to develop exclusive barley varieties. This long-term preparation has allowed the company to produce the best barley varieties to thrive in the local climate conditions.

Soufflet Malt also differentiates itself through its long-term partnerships with farmers. The company will work with 50,000+ Indian farmers, supporting rural growth with skills development and sustainable farming practices. Farmers will also benefit from access to high-yield barley varieties, supported by a network of agronomists, allowing for greater income stability and market access.

Moreover, plans are to source up to 250,000 tonnes of barley annually when the malthouse will run at full capacity, following the second phase expansion. Farmers will also have access to a digital platform that provides data and guidance on best farming practices.

Sustainability

The facility will prioritise sustainability using green energy such as biofuel for heat energy. A zero liquid discharge system, alongside advanced water management and carbon reduction initiatives, also highlights Soufflet Malt’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its global CSR ambitions. Moreover, technologies such as digitalised grain handling and traceability systems will ensure the efficiency and transparency of operations.

Jorge Solis, CEO of Soufflet Malt comments: “We are proud to partner with the Rajasthan government on this project and value the trust placed in us to deliver a sustainable, innovative malting facility. Our new malthouse reflects one of the pillars of our MALTiply 2030 strategy, which aims to leverage our deep global capabilities locally. Together, we are creating jobs, strengthening agriculture and supporting the region’s long-term development. Aligned with India’s ambition to modernise agriculture and enhance food security, this investment brings our agronomic and industrial expertise together with advanced technologies to deliver a state-of-the-art malthouse and unleash the full potential of malt in India.”

“Establishment of Soufflet Malt's new facility in Kota will contribute to the region's economic growth” stated Ms. Shivangi Swarnkar, Managing Director, Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation (RIICO).

Long term commitment to India

Soufflet Malt’s existing operations in India include a malt house in Alwar, Rajasthan, with a capacity of 18,000 tonnes, where the company has been collaborating with local growers since 2014 to cultivate premium-quality barley. The barley is grown, malted and sold locally, creating value through the entire supply chain.