Belgian frozen potato manufacturer Lutosa is about to finalize a more than EUR200m investment in Waregem. By this investment, Lutosa fortifies its long-standing relationship with Belgium and rises to become one of the biggest private investors in West Flanders in recent years. The plant’s environmental performance and production capacity will be greatly enhanced by this operation.

The investment is the result of a thorough and demanding permitting procedure that involved considerable consultation with local authorities and other stakeholders. The construction of a new potato receiving and sorting station, the extension of the flakes manufacturing line, the installation of a new chips production line, and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are among the projects that are now under way and are scheduled to be finished in the middle of 2026.

“With this investment, Lutosa is not only strengthening its links with over 700 potato growers and its more than 1,000 employees, but also with the region. Belgium, and in particular West Flanders, offers Lutosa – in addition to its Leuze site – a favorable environment for strengthening its competitiveness in the international market for high-quality Belgian potato products,” a recent company memo reveals.

Lutosa’s leadership in sustainability is also demonstrated by this investment. It will lower Waregem’s production process’s energy use by over 25%. Furthermore, Lutosa is pleased to present cutting-edge technology for its new wastewater treatment system, which will ultimately allow for the reuse of 85% of the water utilized.

“Lutosa has a long and successful history in Waregem. I am therefore delighted that we are continuing this history by developing and making more sustainable our production site in Waregem. This investment will open up new opportunities to better serve our customers with superior product quality, while supporting our growth strategy,” Alain Dufait, Managing Director of Lutosa, concluded.