USA — Louis Dreyfus Company Agricultural Industries LLC (LDC) has opened a new soy liquid lecithin plant in Claypool, Indiana.
According to LDC, its new plant, with the capacity to crush 175,000 bushels of soybeans per day, is the country’s largest facility integrating soybean processing, biodiesel production, and glycerin and lecithin refining operations, as well as a food-grade packaging line and canola oil distribution terminal.
Gordon Russell, US head of Grains & Oilseeds at LDC said that this development is part of LDC’s strategic plans to diversify its revenue streams through value-added products — in this case, by expanding its presence in the ingredients value chain and diversifying its food and feed solutions portfolio.
Lecithin describes a group of fatty substances found in plant and animal tissues that are essential for proper biological function.
Lecithin also has a wide range of applications in food manufacturing, and is used in products such as confectionery and prepared foods. Louis Dreyfus describes the ingredient as a “versatile emulsifier, dispersing agent, antioxidant and flavour enhancer”.
The new lecithin plant comprises best-in-class clarification, drying and degumming process technology.
LDC said the new lecithin plant comprises best-in-class clarification, drying and degumming process technology which will enable food manufacturers to obtain product attributes that customers increasingly desire.
“Thanks to rigorous controls at every stage of the production process, laboratory enhancements and ISO level 7 food grade packaging operations, our facility offers customers product quality assurance, as well as a range of packaging options in bulk trucks, totes and drums,” Russell said.
In its 2021 annual earnings report, LDC noted that within its Value Chain Segment, the Grains & Oilseeds Platform delivered strong operating results.
LDC head of Grains & Oilseeds, André Roth, said that this strong performance was echoed in other product lines, including high biodiesel margins in the US and Europe, supported by a valuable contribution from LDC’s lecithin and refined glycerin ingredients businesses.
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