Agri-food commodities giant ADM is investing approximately US$300 million to significantly expand its US-based facility in Decatur, Illinois. In addition to boosting the supplier’s soy protein concentrate production – nearly doubling its extrusion capacity – the investment will help scale a new Protein Innovation Center to address the surging global demand for sustainable, alternative proteins.

“Alternative proteins is one of our core growth platforms. We’re actively exploring novel, next-gen protein sources, including plant protein sources like chickpea and sunflower, fermentation, cell-based and even protein coming from the air,” Leticia Gonçalves, president of global foods, ADM, tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

“In recent years, we’ve invested to become one of the premier global providers in the plant-based segment, including with our Campo Grande soy complex, our Enderlin pea protein production, our PlantPlus Foods JV, multiple partnerships with start-ups and other innovative companies, last year’s Sojaprotein acquisition, and now with this investment.”

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 US$125 billion in 2030, she highlights.

Alt-protein sector to hit US$125 billion in 2030
The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025, subject to all applicable approvals and permits.

The new Protein Innovation Center will further expand ADM’s cutting edge Decatur-based innovation complex, joining the company’s Food Application Center and Animal Nutrition Technology Center and enhancing the company’s ability to work closely with customers to develop custom solutions.

The Center will bring together labs, test kitchens and pilot-scale production capabilities to power new innovation, from novel and diversified ingredients, to more sustainable and efficient processing, to unique and differentiated texture, taste, appearance and nutrition solutions.

“Decatur is our North A merican headquarters and our largest concentration of employees,” highlights Gonçalves. “Our Decatur complex, located in the heart of soybean country, already offers industry-leading alternative protein products on the market today.”

“For our state-of-the-art Protein Innovation Center, we plan to grow our robust team of scientists, engineers and chefs to drive game-changing diversified alternative options within key growth market segments, including meat and dairy alternatives and specialized nutrition, from seed to fork.”

ADM sizes up ingredient trends
Earlier this year, ADM published its trend report on the global alternative protein market, which examined a variety of new approaches, protein sources and consumer drivers that are shaping the space now.

The findings, based on research from the company’s proprietary Outside Voice consumer insights platform, reveal what’s next for alternative proteins, which are expected to climb to US$125 billion by 2030.

The supplier has also been closely monitoring the repercussions of the titanium dioxide (E171) ban in Europe. Last month, it unveiled its new line of PearlEdge proprietary white color solutions – derived from natural sources, including native corn starch – filling a “vital white space” in the market as global manufacturers make moves toward phasing out the potentially carcinogenic substance.