Louis Dreyfus Company to build new soybean-processing plant in Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Louis Dreyfus Company announced Oct. 20 the construction of a soybean-processing plant in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, with integrated crushing, vegetable-oil refining and lecithin production and packaging capabilities.  

With construction expected to begin in early 2024, the new facility will employ over 100 people and have annual soy-crushing capacity of 1.5 million metric tons, annual edible (refined, bleached and deodorized) soybean-oil production capacity of 320,000 tons and annual lecithin-production capacity of 7,500 tons.  

“This strategic development will further strengthen Louis Dreyfus Company’s core merchandizing capabilities with additional capacity to originate and process U.S. soy into value-added products—in this case edible oils and lecithin, reinforcing our position as a partner to our customers as we grow our food-and-feed solutions business established in January,” said Michael Gelchie, CEO of Louis Dreyfus Company.

The new plant also provides an option to participate in renewable energy feedstock markets and help meet growing demand for biofuels. 

“Reflecting our long-term commitment to North America as a key market for Louis Dreyfus Company, both in terms of origination and distribution, this new facility will leverage Louis Dreyfus Company’s existing regional-logistics network and synergies with our other integrated oilseed-processing facilities in the region,” said Gordon Russell, Louis Dreyfus Company’s U.S. head of grains and oilseeds. 

Louis Dreyfus Company recently expanded its crushing, biodiesel refining, and glycerin and lecithin production complex in Claypool, Indiana.

Its canola-processing plant in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada, is also undergoing an expansion.

Founded in 1851, Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods.

The company is active in over 100 countries across six geographical regions, and employs approximately 17,000 people globally.