ADM is investing approximately $300m to develop a Protein Innovation Centre in Decatur, Illinois, expanding its alternative protein production in the region. 

The production increase represents a significant expansion of the company’s alternative protein capabilities. The project – which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025 – will increase soy protein concentrate capacity and nearly double extrusion capacity at the company’s Decatur complex. 

Last year, the company acquired Sojaprotein, a European provider of non-GMO human nutrition protein solutions. Between the two investments, the company will increase its global alternative protein production capacity by more than 30%, it says. 

The centre will further expand ADM’s Decatur-based innovation complex, joining the company’s Food Application Center and Animal Nutrition Technology Center, and enhancing the company’s ability to provide custom offerings to customers. The centre will feature labs, test kitchens, and pilot-scale production capabilities for ingredient development and processing. 

“The global trends of food security and sustainability are driving structural changes in the food industry, including strong growth in alternative proteins, and we’re investing to ensure ADM remains a leader in this vast and exciting space,” said Leticia Gonçalves, ADM’s President of Global Foods. 

“The array of opportunity areas for alternative proteins in foods and nutrition solutions is continuing to grow at 10% CAGR, with alternative meat and dairy sales alone expected to grow by 14% a year and reach $125 billion in 2030. Our sales in this space have been growing at rates much faster than the industry’s, and our work to expand our leadership position with new innovation and capacity is an important driver of future growth for our Nutrition business. We’re proud to continue to invest and innovate, delivering on our strategy, supporting global food security and advancing sustainability for our customers and our future.” 

“Our customers choose ADM because we can innovate across the entire value chain, from seed to fork and around the globe, to arrive at the perfect solutions to meet growing consumer demand,” Gonçalves continued. “We’re proud to be the alternative protein partner of choice for global CPGs, food service companies and startups alike, with the highest-quality ingredients, unparalleled global scale, unmatched speed to market, and a value chain that no other company can offer. The investments we’re announcing today showcase our commitment to supporting their success and growing with them as more and more consumers choose alternative proteins.”