Südzucker AG (, literally South sugar) is a German company, the largest sugar producer in the world,[2] with an annual production of around 4.8 million tonnes.
In February 2014, Germany’s Federal Cartel Office imposed a joint fine of 280 million euros on the company – together with its competitors Nordzucker and Pfeifer & Langen – for allegations of anticompetitive agreements.[3]
History
Südzucker traces its origins to Süddeutsche-Zucker-AG, which was formed in 1926 through the merger of five regional sugar factories (Zuckerfabrik Frankenthal AG; Zuckerfabrik Heilbronn AG; Badische Gesellschaft für Zuckerfabrikation; Zuckerfabrik Offstein AG; Zuckerfabrik Stuttgart). Its corporate predecessor is Zuckerfabrik Frankenthal AG.[4] In 1837, the Badische Gesellschaft für Zuckerfabrikation purchased Eremitage Castle in Waghäusel from the Grand Duchy of Baden and, on the castle’s 13‑hectare grounds, established the Waghäusel sugar factory, which operated until 1995.