Our story

Our future
began in 1870

Company History

Pfeifer & Langen started with an idea: Our founders were searching for a way to extract sugar from our native beets – allowing us to source sugar locally, rather than relying on imported sugar cane from distant regions. The idea aligned perfectly with the zeitgeist. And sugar history was born.

Firmly rooted. Always in motion.

Sugar is our passion. For generations, we’ve been sweetening the everyday lives of people. And today, we are one of Europe’s leading sugar manufacturers. We have grown, opened new markets, and developed continuously through an abundance of innovations. And yet we have remained true to our roots. Our high quality standards, humanity, and trust – these are things that underpin a family company, and they are values we still believe in today.

A little bit better every day

On 19 April 1870, three pioneers established Pfeifer & Langen in Cologne: Resourceful inventor and engineer Eugen Langen, and Emil and Valentin Pfeifer, who owned farmland and already had extensive experience in growing and processing beets. Their pioneering spirit lives on today, with milestones like these to mark the way:

1870

Pfeifer & Langen founded in Cologne

1872

Development of Langen’s process for manufacturing sugar cubes

1926

Registration of the “Kölner Zucker” brand and logo with two striped sugar loaves

1928

Pfeifer & Langen pioneers production of candy sugar

1965

Pfeifer & Langen makes food history with the invention of gelling sugar

1966

Production and patenting of stockfeed from sugar beet pulp

1969

Expansion of our product range for the food processing industry

1990

Establishment of our Sugar Beet Agricultural Information Service (LIZ: Landwirtschaftlicher Informationsdienst Zuckerrübe) to advise and support beet farmers

1993

At our Könnern site, one of Europe’s biggest factories begins operation

1995

Entry into the Polish market, start of expansion into other south-east European countries

2005

Pfeifer & Langen continues to expand its range with innovative products, e.g., Gelierzauber no-cook gelling sugar

2020

Pfeifer & Langen celebrates 150 years of sweet variety

2040

Our goals: Climate-neutral sugar production and leaders in digital innovation

Our tradition takes root at Cologne Cathedral

Our company history is inseparable from our home city. We carry Cologne not only in our hearts, but also in our logo, where two sugar loaves recall the twin spires of Cologne Cathedral. Our founding fathers chose Cologne as a base because of the fertile farmland surrounding the city. Sugar beet grows particularly well in Rhineland – and Pfeifer & Langen could grow quickly and sustainably, too.

A lot has changed in our 150+ years as a company. By drawing on a host of new technologies to process our raw material, we are using sugar in ever more efficient and sustainable ways.

And our product range is growing more and more diverse. For the food industry alone, we have developed several hundred product specifications. And in our Innovation Center, our researchers are building the future of sugar.

We continue to write our company history: a little bit more efficient, sustainable, and innovative every single day.