Swiss technology group Bühler has acquired endeco GmbH and its subsidiary endeco Protein and Food, formalising a partnership that has been in place since 2022. The deal took effect on January 1, 2026.
Bühler, headquartered in Uzwil, Switzerland, and endeco, a German plant engineering specialist, began collaborating four years ago with a shared focus on plant-based protein processing. That collaboration included joint customer projects and the co-operation of the Protein Application Center at Bühler’s Uzwil headquarters.
“We share the same ambition of getting plant-based protein out of the pilot plant and into industrial-scale production”
Mike Häfeli, CEO Business Grains & Food at Bühler Group, explained, “Endeco brings a strong combination of agility, process expertise, and a highly solution-oriented mindset that complements Bühler’s existing capabilities. We see significant potential to create additional value together, not only in proteins, but across other areas of our business.”
Scaling plant protein processing
The acquisition is intended to extend Bühler’s capacity to take plant-based protein production from pilot scale to industrial volume. Endeco contributes process expertise across starch, protein, and food applications, while Bühler brings global market access and a broader technology portfolio. Together, according to the company, they now cover a more complete processing value chain for plant protein customers.
Business continuity and integration
Endeco will continue to operate under its own name as endeco, a Bühler company. Existing customers in the starch and dairy processing industries in Germany will retain their current contacts and service relationships. Over time, the two companies plan to collaborate more closely on joint project development where combined capabilities offer additional value to customers.
The Protein Application Center, previously managed and operated by endeco Protein and Food at Bühler’s Uzwil site, will be integrated into Bühler’s Special Grains and Pulses business unit.
Karl-Heinz Bergmann, Managing Director of endeco, stated, “We have been working with Bühler for years, so this is a logical next step. 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. Our team and our way of working stay exactly as they are.”
