Increased production capacity and new product for 2024

PRONATEC has started the new year in style by acquiring a second ball mill for producing cocoa mass. This move will reduce throughput times whilst increasing production capacity. PRONATEC has also added roasted and cleaned cocoa nibs to its product range. Our new warehouse in Eggingen, Germany is up and running, and is designed to increase our efficiency whilst making our logistics network more environmentally friendly.

As our first full year of production, 2023 saw a significant increase in the amount of cocoa that we were able to process. Around 8,700 tonnes of cocoa had passed through the PRONATEC Swiss Cocoa Production facility by the end of the year, leaving CEO and owner David Yersin more than happy: “We almost hit our ambitious production target of processing seven to eight 25-tonne batches of cocoa beans per week”, Yersin said.

New ball mill for grinding cocoa mass added to increase capacity

Given the dramatic increase in demand at the tail end of 2023, our planned expansion in January 2024 couldn’t have come at a better time. Our new second ball mill for grinding roasted coca nibs into cocoa mass will help us to significantly increase capacity and reduce throughput times.

New in our range: roasted and cleaned organic cocoa nibs

PRONATEC has bolstered its product range by adding high-quality organic and fair trade cocoa nibs (crushed cocoa beans), which are carefully roasted at regulated temperatures. “We get our cocoa from YACAO, our subsidiary company in the Dominican Republic. Our roasted and cleaned organic cocoa nibs add a rich cocoa note and special crunch to baked goods, chocolates and teas,” explains Simon Yersin, Head of Cocoa at PRONATEC. Learn more about PRONATEC’s organic and fair trade cocoa nibs here. 

Our cocoa products are now available with the CRC NY Kosher Passover label

Our organic cocoa mass, cocoa powder, cocoa butter and cocoa nibs are now available with the CRC NY Kosher Passover label. Please do not hesitate to contact our semi-finished cocoa products sales team if you have any questions about our new products. 

New storage site in Eggingen (Germany) increases efficiency

PRONATEC’s warehouse for cocoa beans and semi-finished cocoa products in Eggingen, Germany has been open for around a year. The site is around 10 km (six miles) from our production facility in Switzerland and helps to both significantly increase efficiency and streamline customs formalities. Our cocoa is delivered via ports in the EU, and is transported onwards by ship up the River Rhine or by rail to Weil am Rhein near Basel. From there, it travels a short distance by truck to Eggingen before finally being taken to our production facility. This largely environmentally friendly transportation system has enabled PRONATEC to reduce the carbon footprint of our cocoa products.