ADM JV Starts Work on New Soy Processing Plant

Representatives of American agribusiness Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Marathon Petroleum Corp.(MPC) gathered on June 2 to mark the start of work on a new soy processing plant in Spiritwood, ND that will be operated by a joint venture, Green Bison. Once operational, the facility will supply 600 million lb/yr of refined vegetable oil to MPC for use as a feedstock in renewable diesel production.

“The need for lower-carbon, more sustainable products is one of the fundamental trends underlying ADM’s strategy and purpose, and we’re proud to continue to scale up our leadership in this critical area,” Ken Campbell, president of North America Oils, Biodiesel, and Renewable Chemicals for ADM, said in a release. “Renewable diesel is a potentially transformative opportunity for the oilseed industry, for farmers, and for the sustainability of our transportation system.”

Green Bison’s $350 million complex will include automation technology and feature a capacity of 150,000 bu/day of soybeans. The vegetable oil processed at the site will enable MPC to produce some 75 million gal/yr of renewable diesel.

“The Green Bison Soy Processing facility represents another step in MPC’s commitment to investing in a sustainable, energy-diverse future,” said Dave Heppner, MPC’s senior vice president of Strategy and Business Development, in a release. “The Green Bison Soy Processing facility will help us further optimize our renewable feedstock sourcing, and we’re excited about the opportunity to partner with ADM and the state of North Dakota as we move forward with the development of this facility.”

75 jobs will be created when work on the site reaches completion. Operations are expected to begin around the 2023 harvest.