Year-End Perspective on Citric Acid, Citrates and Reliable Performance — A Look Back at 2025
As the year ends, many manufacturers reflect on a period of intensified production, tight planning and high expectations around quality and reliability. Across food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, personal care and technical applications, citric acid and citrates continue to support stable formulations, predictable processing and consistent end-product performance, especially during peak periods.
Beyond that, 2025 was also a year shaped by collaboration, innovation and shared responsibility across Citribel’s activities.
Supporting Performance Across Applications
Citric acid and citrates play a key role in pH control, buffering, chelation and effervescence. These functions help ensure consistent formulation performance across a wide range of production environments, including instant food and beverage blends, effervescent pharmaceutical systems and dry household products.
Uniform granulometry, good flowability and controlled moisture sensitivity remain essential parameters for manufacturers aiming to maintain efficiency and reproducibility at scale.
At Citribel, our citric acid and citrate products are produced in Belgium through a circular fermentation process, supporting stable specifications, traceability and a secure European supply throughout the year.
A Year Shaped by Collaboration, Innovation and Engagement
Alongside our core ingredients, 2025 marked several important milestones for Citribel as an organisation:
Continued validation of our mycelium-based innovations, including external coverage of MycoFence, demonstrating reduced salmon mortalities in challenge trials.
The publication of our second Sustainability Report, detailing our circular production model, environmental performance and long-term ambition.
Strengthening technical collaboration through workshops
Our sales team was able to do this through hands-on distributor workshops, supporting knowledge exchange across markets and applications.
The release of a new innovation-focused company video, highlighting Citribel’s fermentation expertise and forward-looking approach.
Ongoing investment in fundamental research through the Citribel Chair in Protein Design for Zero-Waste Production Processes, in collaboration with KU Leuven.
Engagement beyond our own operations, including support for local education initiatives, such as sponsoring students from GO! Atheneum Tienen in the Greenpower electric car competition with their self-built electric vehicle.
Recognition of our sustainability efforts through participation in the Voka Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen.
Continued scientific contribution, including a peer-reviewed publication on ScienceDirect, reinforcing Citribel’s research-driven approach.
Ongoing focus on employee wellbeing and sustainable mobility through initiatives such as “Citribel Fietst”, encouraging healthy, file-free commuting.
Active presence, with a booth at international trade fairs including SEPAWA and SupplySide Global, strengthening dialogue with customers worldwide.
Our annual blood drive was a great success. Together with Raffinerie Tirlemontoise – Tiense Suikerraffinaderij, BENEO, TMS Industrial Services , Kim’s Chocolates NV and Cytiva, we reached a record turnout of 110 registered donors our highest participation yet.
From mycelium to the global stage: Stella McCartney presented her new sustainable luxury collection based on Yatay M, an innovative Italian material engineered by Coronet and made with MycaNova mycelium, worn by global icon Taylor Swift.
Production MycoFence & MycoGlucan
Important milestones with the start of production of MycoFence and MycoGlucan, marking the transition from development to market introduction.
Practical Improvements
Practical operational improvements, including the introduction of new Form-Fill-Seal (FFS) packaging and a refreshed Citribel website, designed to better support customers with clear, structured product information.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While the end of the year is a natural moment for reflection, reliability, quality and innovation are not seasonal. They remain central to how Citribel supports its customers, through consistent ingredients, technical expertise and long-term partnerships.
We thank our customers, partners and colleagues for their trust and collaboration throughout the year, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
We wish you a smooth year-end close and a successful start to the new year.
Conclusion
2025 has been a year of progress shaped by teamwork, innovation and a circular mindset. With every step, we move closer to a future where natural resources are used responsibly and efficiently.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
We look forward to continuing our work together in the new year.
