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Bunge opens new soy protein facility in Indiana, will boost demand for U.S. soybean farmers

A new soybean concentrate facility is making moves to increase demand for U.S. soybeans. 

“Our vision for this project was to really supply plant-based proteins globally.”

Brian Douville with Bunge says the new $550 million food-grade soy protein concentrate facility in Morristown, Indiana will process 4.5 million bushels of soybeans each year.

“About half of the production here will be exported and the other half will be consumed domestically here in the US,” he says.

He tells Brownfield the company’s soy protein concentrate, PurePro, will help meet rising consumer demand for protein.

“We’re seeing consumers want protein in all different kinds of foods,” he says. “We’re seeing an interest in snacks and cereals. From a nutrition standpoint, it’s a very digestible and nutritious protein.”

Indiana Farm Bureau president and Posey County farmer Randy Kron says increasing domestic demand remains critical as farmers deal with a challenging ag economy. 

“With what Bunge is doing here and the radius where they pull soybeans from will be increased,” he says. “It’s a win win for farmers, for their community, and for employment opportunities.”

The Morristown site is the first soy protein concentrate facility built in the U.S. in more than 40 years, and now the largest in North America.

Brownfield interviewed Douville and Kron during the facility’s grand opening.

AUDIO: Brian Douville, Bunge

AUDIO: Randy Kron, Indiana Farm Bureau