The Belgian company inaugurated its new sourdough plant in Cerrillos, marking a significant manufacturing investment in the country. The project reinforces the company’s confidence in Chile’s role as a platform for productive development and regional expansion.
The facility is the company’s first liquid sourdough plant in the region, strengthening local production capacity, replacing imports from Belgium, and meeting growing demand for premium and artisanal products. Under the concept “The future of bread lies in its past,” the company highlights how innovation can draw inspiration from traditional processes, adapting historical techniques to current market needs.
This inauguration follows the opening of the UHT plant in Chile in 2025, reinforcing a positive trend of investment in the agrifood sector. In this context, the company stated:
«We reiterate Puratos’ very concrete ambition to continue developing the Chilean market, both nationally and as a regional hub, with a long-term vision and close collaboration.»
According to information published by the national media outlet Ex-Ante, the company noted that sourdough consumption continues to grow globally. Until now, this product has been imported from Belgium, but local production will give the company a competitive advantage in the market.
Puratos operates a 100% B2B model, supplying ingredients to companies in the industry, such as retailers, chocolate shops, and bakeries, and working with wholesalers and distributors who market its products.
Founded in 1919 in Brussels as “Henri Groot & Fils,” the company has grown into a global player in the bakery, pastry, and chocolate ingredients industry.
It currently has over 9,000 employees, 93 innovation centers, and more than 65 manufacturing facilities across 81 countries.
It also operates baking schools in key markets, including India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Romania and the Philippines. In 2024, it reported EBITDA of more than US$474 million.
Present in Cerrillos since 1999, Puratos has invested more than US$20 million over the past five years. The investment includes a new Distribution Center, an expansion of its Innovation Center, and a recently built UHT plant designed to meet high sustainability standards.
Notable initiatives include a water treatment plant to optimize water use and a rooftop solar power system developed in partnership with Enel, which helps reduce the carbon footprint by generating clean energy.
From its Cerrillos facilities, the company also operates a chocolate plant that produces Carat chocolate coating and a plant for baking and pastry premix powders. Its products are distributed throughout Chile, from Arica to Punta Arenas.
With this new investment, Puratos continues to strengthen the national agrifood ecosystem by contributing innovation, productive development, and new capabilities to the local industry.
Are you looking for opportunities to develop or expand a project in Chile? InvestChile supports investors with up-to-date market and regulatory information, assistance with project location analysis, public-private coordination, and access to innovation and development tools.
For more information on how we can help you, visit www.investchile.gob.cl or contact us here.