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Bioprom-2025: A New Philosophy of Flavour

10.10.2025
Bioprom-2025: A New Philosophy of Flavour
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From Snow and Honey to Brazzein: The Evolution of Ice Cream

From Snow and Honey to Brazzein: The Evolution of Ice Cream08.12.2025

Smart Ingredients: EFKO Forum

Smart Ingredients: EFKO Forum17.09.2025

Sweet – without sugar. Delicious – without guilt. At Bioprom-2025, the oil and fat division of the EFKO Group presented desserts made with the sweet protein brazzein – proving that health means pleasure.

 

"Have you already tried the candies and ice cream with sweet protein?" — this question was heard everywhere at Bioprom-2025. And for good reason! These new products literally transform the concept of sweets: creamy candies with caramel nut, cherry with rum, and even buckwheat tea, plus vanilla ice cream — all without added sugar. The main highlight is the innovative sweet protein brazzein, which not only adds sweetness but also serves as a functional ingredient for health and fitness.

 

The International Forum "Bioprom," held in Gelendzhik with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, brought together hundreds of participants — representatives of industry ministries and agencies, research institutes, leading companies, and startups. It is a key platform for cross-industry dialogue and showcasing the potential of the Russian bioindustry — from pharmaceuticals to sustainable food solutions. The event continues to strengthen the country's technological sovereignty and promote domestic innovations aimed at improving the quality of life.

 

The EFKO booth became a magnet for those interested in biotechnology and healthy nutrition. Guests not only tasted innovative sugar-free products but also got answers to all their questions from the company's technologists, learning how biotech is changing the future of the food industry and why sweet protein is more than just a sugar substitute.

 

 

Alena Surkova 

Director for the Confectionery Industry, Oil and Fat Division, EFKO Group

"Sweet protein is a new philosophy of sweetness. It is safe — as proven by clinical studies — and allows us to create treats that are beneficial. Thanks to the high sweetness of brazzein, it is possible to reduce the amount of sugar in recipes and add beneficial dietary fibers.".

 

As a result, delicious candies and ice cream become not just a treat, but a superfood that supports health and helps you take care of yourself.

 

Svetlana Mirnaya

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Endocrinologist

"In 2024, a clinical study of products containing brazzein as a source of sweet taste was completed. Sixty people took part in the study. Various health indicators were evaluated during the trials, including blood glucose levels. All participants maintained stable carbohydrate metabolism — no increase in glucose levels was observed. This is of particular importance to endocrinologists, as it is significant for patients with overweight, obesity, diabetes, and prediabetes. Furthermore, no allergic reactions were recorded. Participants were completely satisfied with the taste of the product." 

 

If you haven't tried the new sweet protein products yet, now is the time to fix that. Healthy sweets that truly change the game are already available.

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Dear partners!

In order to improve EFKO products and quality of service, as well as to better meet your needs, we ask you to answer a few questions.

In the Alekseevskaya Sloboda of the Belgorod province, where in the late 1820s, sunflower oil was produced for the first time in the Russian Empire, and the first oil mill in Russia was built.

During the years of the First World War, and then the Civil War, production was completely stopped. The restoration of the plant began only in 1923. The main focus of its work remained the processing of coriander and anise. In 1936, the second oil extraction plant in all of Russia was built in Alekseevka. Later, both enterprises were merged into one of the largest essential oil extraction complexes in the Soviet Union.

During the Great Patriotic War, the complex was almost destroyed. Restoration work, which began in 1943, continued until the end of 1948. In the post-war period, comprehensive reconstruction was carried out on many sections using the latest technological advancements. By the 1970s, the Alekseevsky essential oil extraction complex produced up to 80% of the world's coriander oil. For its achievements in production development, the development and implementation of advanced technology, by decree of August 14, 1972, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded the plant the Order of the Badge of Honor.

Unfortunately, in the 1990s, the enterprise that brought fame and wealth to the people of Alekseevka fell into decline and practically collapsed. The revival of the enterprise began in 1994 with the arrival of a new team and the creation of the EFCO Group.

The enterprise underwent large-scale modernization of production and established a new management system. The company decided to return to its roots and resume the production of sunflower oil. Later, EFCO expanded the range and volume of products.

In 2002, a new business direction was opened, and the most modern plant for the production of specialized fats and margarines for the food industry, EFCO Food Ingredients, was launched in the city of Alekseevka, Belgorod region. A scientific and production laboratory was established at the plant, equipped to control product quality at all stages of production and conduct in-depth scientific research.

In 2002–2003, EFCO technologists mastered the most environmentally friendly process of vegetable oil processing – the 'dry' fractionation method, applied the technology of physical refining of oils and fats, and managed to create Russia's first cocoa butter substitute 'Ecolad,', milk fat substitute 'Ecolact,', solid confectionery fat 'Ekond,', soft confectionery fat 'Ekonfe,', universal margarines 'Ecouniversal,', frying shortenings 'Ecofri,', and the first domestic fats with minimal trans-isomers content – confectionery fats 'Econat.'

In 2005, the R&D center of the fats and oils division was created based on EFCO Food Ingredients, consisting of the Applied Research Center and the Pilot Plant Department. The center’s specialists are engaged in developing and testing fat products for healthy eating lines and innovative recipes, taking into account the needs of manufacturers.

In 2006, the company was the first in Russia to successfully pass an audit for compliance with the quality and safety requirements of the BRC (Global Standard for Food Safety) and the International Food Standard (IFS).

In 2008, the second plant for the production of specialized fats and margarines was launched in the port of Taman in the Krasnodar Territory, and the only deep-water sea terminal for food cargo in Russia was built.

The following year, the plant successfully passed certification for compliance with the quality and safety requirements of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the International Food Standard (IFS). International auditors awarded the company the highest compliance level – Grade AA.

In 2014, the company’s technologists created the first domestic equivalent of cocoa butter.

In 2015, the EFCO Group launched a project to create a unique fats and oils cluster in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Thanks to production modernization and the transfer of global technologies, the production of specialized fats and margarines meeting the highest international standards was established in a short time.

In 2016, EFCO opened its fourth site for the production of specialized fats and margarines at the Evdakovsky fats and oils plant in the Voronezh region.

In 2021, production capacity at the Taman port facility was increased – launching the world's first 'million-ton plant' for the production of specialized fats and margarines.

In 2023, the company launched the only shea nut processing plant in Russia.

Thanks to R&D and significant investments by domestic producers in developing their own infrastructure, primarily by EFCO, the share of imported producers in the Russian food ingredients market has decreased from 49% to 9% over the past 15 years and continues to decline.

Almost 200 years later, Alekseevka remains the largest center for vegetable oil processing in the country.

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What to look out for:

  • Official domains: Our only official websites are www.efko.ru, b2b.efko.ru, маргарин.рф, and art.efko.ru.
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If you receive any suspicious emails, calls, or offers claiming to be from our company, please verify immediately by calling us at: +7 (47234) 77 100 or +7 800 250 02 20 You can also message us on Telegram to report suspicious activity.