Louis Dreyfus Company, a multinational business that sources and transforms agricultural goods into ingredients and finished products for several industries, inaugurated a new R&D facility dedicated to its plant proteins business in the San Francisco.

The company started to invest in the plant proteins market in 2021, when it hired a dedicated team of business developers, researchers and engineers. The launch of the new facility further strengthens its commitment to creating a more sustainable food system. 

“As part of our strategic plan to diversify revenue through more value-added products, we see an opportunity in the plant-based foods market through plant protein extraction and the formulation of F&B products, by leveraging our existing industrial capabilities,” said Michael Gelchie, LDC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Growing concerns regarding health, the environment, and animal welfare are driving strong demand for plant-based proteins. Food companies are rapidly rising to the challenge with innovative products with great taste and nutritional profile.

“LDC’s Plant Proteins business aspires to be the partner of choice for food companies and innovative brands who wish to incorporate more sustainable proteins in their products,” said Thomas Couteaudier, Chief Strategy Officer for LDC. “We will enter the market with a first range of non-GMO plant protein isolates by the end of 2022, with an initial focus on North America. Our goal is to create a large portfolio of products and application solutions.”

The new Plant Proteins business will be managed by Dr. Manoj Kumar, LDC’s Vice President for Plant Proteins, supervising a team of experts based in California.

“The facility inaugurated today is a critical foundation for the new business, supporting its R&D and commercial program. It will serve as a laboratory and pilot plant to develop products, validate their technical and commercial value, and build know-how for future applications,” said Dr. Kumar.

Founded in 1851, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 17,000 people globally. Its activities span the entire value chain across a broad range of sectors and product categories, including grains and oilseeds, coffee, cotton, juice, rice, sugar, freight, and carbon solutions.
LDC's products help feed and clothe some 500 million people every year by originating, processing, and transporting approximately 80 million tons of products.

For more information, visit ldc.com