Bunge North America is planning to build a new soybean processing plant in the United States. Sites are currently under consideration in Ohio and Indiana, according to the company.

“As we evaluate the long-term demand for soy products, we see the need to improve our asset footprint in the Eastern U.S., a key market,” said Tim Gallagher, executive vice-president of Bunge’s oilseed value chain. “A state-of-the-art facility in the Eastern Corn Belt that incorporates the latest productivity, safety and sustainability features combined with an increase in overall efficiency of our existing footprint will ensure Bunge can serve growing demand in the Southeastern U.S. feed and export markets.”

The company anticipates that once site selection is complete and local building approvals granted, construction of the new plant will be completed by the end of 2019. The new plant will be the first built by the company in the U.S. during the past 15 years.