Merchant and processor of agricultural goods Louis Dreyfus (LDC) has announced the opening of its new oilseeds processing plant, Louis Dreyfus Company (Tianjin) Food Technology Company Limited, located in the Binhai New Area District of the Tianjin Free Trade Zone.

With a daily soybean crushing capacity of 4,000 tons and a daily oil refining capacity of 1,200 tons, the plant will bolster LDC’s supply of soybean meal, crude soybean oil and refined edible vegetable oil to meet the needs of partners and consumers in China. The plant’s bottling, filling, packaging and storage facilities also prepare LDC to go downstream in the supply chain by introducing packed oil. The production line for refined oil commenced operations in June, with small-packaged edible oil production expected to begin at the end of the year.

“We are delighted to announce the opening of the new plant, which enhances our soybean processing capabilities in China, a vital market for LDC, and will help us to respond to rapidly increasing demand for protein and safe, high-quality food products in the country,” said Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, Chairperson of Louis Dreyfus Holding B.V. “We have been investing in China for over 40 years and are committed to leveraging our scale and expertise as a global merchant and processor of agricultural products to support the country’s sustainable development, with a focus on innovation and working closely with our local partners.”

LDC says it has also focused on ensuring a high-safety environment for employees working at the Tianjin Plant, and on integrating sustainable, energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting and solar roofing.

In addition to the new facility, LDC says it will continue to look for investment and collaboration opportunities in Tianjin and other cities in the country as part of the company’s long-term plan to grow with China.

“We look forward to ongoing collaboration with local governments, partners and customers – in Tianjin and elsewher in China – as we pursue our long-term development strategy to facilitate the growth of the industry as a whole,” said Gonzalo Ramírez Martiarena, Chief Executive Officer of Louis Dreyfus Company. “The Chinese government’s encouragement of more foreign direct investment in the agricultural processing sector will enable the Group to proactively seek and form mutually beneficial partnerships in China,” he added.

“We hope to develop closer ties with local peers through partnerships and domestic investments that create or leverage growth opportunities in the market, and to work together to promote productivity and innovation in China’s agricultural sector,” said James Zhou, Head of North Asia Region at Louis Dreyfus Company.