NOGENT-SUR-SEINE, FRANCE — Soufflet Malt and Heineken Beverages have entered a commercial partnership in South Africa, with Soufflet Malt set to supply malt used in Heineken’s South African operations.

As part of this agreement, France-based Soufflet Malt will invest €100 million ($108.3 million) to build a new malting facility next to Heineken’s Sedibeng Brewery near Johannesburg. The new facility, which is set to be operational in mid-2027, will be the most technologically advanced malthouse in South Africa and will produce 50% fewer emissions than the industry average by using trigeneration and solar energy, Soufflet Malt said.

Soufflet Malt, the world’s leading maltster, with 41 malting plants across 20 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and America, can produce up to 3.7 million tonnes of malt annually to meet the demands of its customers — large breweries and craft brewers, distillers and other industrial players.

“This partnership perfectly reflects Soufflet Malt’s ability as the world’s leading maltster to bring value by delivering agile and locally tailored solutions to long-standing global clients, such as Heineken,” said Jorge Solis, chief executive officer of Soufflet Malt. “We are proud to be able to support Heineken Beverages deliver its ambitious vision for South Africa through our unique capabilities that seamlessly blend innovation in agronomy with global malting expertise and a locally integrated supply chain.”

The new plant’s location next to the brewery will enable malt to be transferred via conveyors, reducing both emissions and costs, the company said. With a production capacity of nearly 100,000 tonnes, the facility will create 55 full-time jobs and support over 200 local South African barley growers. Soufflet Malt will source 100% of the barley locally.

To achieve this goal, Soufflet Malt said it has been working in the region for several years, building long-term partnerships with both commercial and developing farmers. Through training, mentoring and commercial support, the company said it is helping them adopt agronomic best practices to grow high-quality, premium barley.

Th new malting facility will play a key role in reaching both companies’ long-term sustainability goals, create local employment, and bolster Heineken’s supply chain in South Africa, said Jordi Borrut, managing director, Heineken Beverages, which is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.