ST. LOUIS — Bunge, a global agribusiness, food and ingredients leader, is set to invest approximately $550 million to build a new facility for fully integrated soy protein concentrate (SPC) and textured soy protein concentrate (TSPC).
Construction on the facility — which is expected to support increasing customer demand for key ingredients in production for products such as plant-based foods — is set to begin in Q1 2023 and commissioned by mid-2025.
“As the world’s largest oilseed processor, plant proteins are a natural extension of our industry leading oils, fats and specialty ingredient portfolio,” said Greg Heckman, CEO of Bunge. “This new facility is an important step in our long-term strategy to strengthen our capabilities in downstream higher value food ingredients.”
Located adjacent to and integrated with Bunge’s soybean processing plant in Morristown, IN, the facility will create nearly 70 full time jobs and is anticipated to process approximately 4.5 million soybean bushels. The new facility is set to add scale, efficiencies and non-GMO capability to the company’s current conventional SPC and TSPC operation in Bellevue, OH. Starting with the 2025 harvest, Bunge plans to contract with farmers to create a traceable soybean sourcing program.
The company recently invested an additional $10 million to enhance plant protein technical capabilities at the Creative Solutions Center (CSC), located near Bunge’s St. Louis headquarters. Beyond its present lipids and carbohydrates resources, the CSC now offers commercial pilot plants for alternative meat and dairy, processed meat, and beverages as complement to its bakery and fry labs. It also includes a sensory testing facility, an extrusion lab and a full-scale food service kitchen.
“At Bunge’s plant protein R&D facility, our experienced scientists and technical team test, develop, enhance and modify products alongside our customers so they can deliver food products with exceptional sensory, nutrition and sustainability benefits to consumers around the world,” said Kaleb Belzer, VP and general manager, protein ingredients.
