ADM to Erect New $350M Soy Crush Plant

American agribusiness Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is launching a multi-million-dollar expansion project to boost its soy crushing capabilities and meet growing demand from food, feed, industrial, and biofuel producers.

In a release Monday, the firm said it will spend $350 million to build the “first-ever dedicated soybean crushing plant” in North Dakota in Spiritwood. Crush and refining assets at the site will enable the facility to process 150,000 bu/day of soybeans. Soybean oil and meal made at the site will be used in domestic and global markets.

“This exciting new project allows us to partner with North Dakota farmers to further advance the role of agriculture in addressing climate change through the production of low carbon feedstocks for products such as renewable fuel,” Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services & Oilseeds business, said in a statement.

Work on the new facility is expected to be completed ahead of the 2023 soybean harvest. The release did not contain information on how many jobs the project will generate.

“This soybean processing plant is a game changer for North Dakota farmers, adding value and expanding the market for this important crop closer to home, while also supporting the production of products such as renewable green diesel right here in North Dakota,” said North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, in the release.

Along with the new plant in Spiritwood, ADM also intends to invest $25 million in an expansion of its crush and refinery facility in Quincy, IL. The firm said the effort will “fully align the location’s refining capabilities with its crush capacity” and allow it to better meet the needs of its food, industrial, and biofuel customers.

Rival agribusiness Cargill announced in March that it is investing $475 million to modernize and expand its soy processing operations across seven US states. The company said it is working to increase the capacity and operational efficiencies of the sites.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the ADM facility is located in Springwood, ND. The correct location is Spiritwood, ND. We apologize for this error.