ADM targets egg, whey and pet food proteins in precision fermentation growth plan

ADM has outlined plans to expand precision fermentation across egg white ingredients, whey alternatives and animal-free proteins for pet food, using existing manufacturing assets and its dextrose supply to reduce the cost and time required to scale production.

• ADM identifies egg, whey and pet food proteins as growth opportunities.
• Existing fermentation assets underpin scale-up plans.
• Clinton conversion involves US$55.5 million investment.

Speaking during ADM’s third-quarter earnings call on November 3, Chair and CEO Juan Luciano described protein as a major opportunity for biomanufacturing. The company’s accompanying presentation identified chicken and lamb alternatives for pet food, an egg white alternative for bakery and other applications, and a whey alternative for dairy and food manufacturing.

“We are using fermentation assets we already own so we can scale without the time and capital of greenfield projects,” Luciano said.

The approach combines access to fermentation feedstock with equipment, research capabilities and established customer relationships. ADM’s presentation highlighted secure, low-cost dextrose supply, existing fermentation capacity and an integrated supply chain as advantages in developing and commercializing new ingredients.

Luciano said the company was working with a technology partner on a whey alternative intended to match the molecular profile of conventional whey. He linked that work to supply constraints in the dairy protein market. The partner was not identified in the discussion.

The egg white program already has a named commercial partner. In July, ADM and The EVERY Company announced an agreement to manufacture EVERY’s OvoPro ingredient at ADM’s Clinton, Iowa, facility.

OvoPro is produced through precision fermentation and provides binding, gelling, foaming and whipping functions alongside protein fortification. Its intended applications include baked goods, protein bars, pasta and other foods where manufacturers need both nutritional content and reliable processing performance.

“Through this agreement with EVERY, we're strengthening the global protein supply chain,” said Kris Lutt, ADM’s Vice President for Innovation and Growth, when the partnership was announced.

EVERY described the agreement as a way to expand supply for multinational customers. The company said the ingredient could help manufacturers manage product functionality, supply security and cost stability, while ADM contributed fermentation production capabilities.

The partnership combines EVERY’s protein technology with an established agricultural processor’s manufacturing infrastructure. For ADM, it provides a specific application for the precision fermentation platform discussed during the earnings call.

Further details of the Clinton investment emerged in August. ADM planned to invest US$55.5 million to convert an underutilized 463,503-square-foot fermentation facility, with the Iowa Economic Development Authority approving US$2.23 million in tax credits.

The project was expected to create 53 jobs and expand the site’s ability to produce high-value biobased products. Planned additions included equipment for separation, purification, drying and packaging, together with upgrades to fermentation equipment, piping and supporting systems.

Those downstream operations are needed to turn fermentation output into usable ingredients. The Clinton disclosure covered large-scale production of proteins and enzymes, extending the facility’s potential applications past the OvoPro agreement.

During the November call, Luciano also discussed how customer commitments would guide further spending. ADM was seeking customers and applications to support investment in any additional finishing equipment required.

He described precision fermentation as an investment activity today, with the ambition of reaching profitability over the next two or three years. A more meaningful contribution to ADM could follow between years five and 10, he said. That was a planning horizon rather than a disclosed earnings forecast for individual products.

The company’s third-quarter presentation placed precision fermentation alongside advanced nutrition, functional health, biosolutions and decarbonization among its longer-term growth pathways.

The update came as ADM narrowed its overall capital spending outlook. The company projected 2026 expenditure of US$1.2 billion to US$1.3 billion, down from its previous range of US$1.3 billion to US$1.5 billion, citing continued prioritization of high-return investments.

ADM reported third-quarter net earnings of US$821 million and adjusted net earnings of US$858 million. Its Carbohydrate Solutions segment, which Luciano identified as the home of the precision fermentation activity, recorded operating profit of US$470 million, up 40% year on year.

That segment’s quarterly improvement was driven by its existing operations, including strong North American ethanol margins. ADM did not provide a separate revenue or profit figure for precision fermentation.

At Clinton, the announced manufacturing agreement and planned equipment upgrades provide the clearest disclosed example of how the company intends to turn that longer-term strategy into commercial ingredient supply.

‍If you liked this, check these out...

• ADM reveals US$55.5 million investment in Clinton precision fermentation expansion

• ADM partnership gives The EVERY Company the commercial scale it has spent a decade building toward

• Tetra Pak expands into industrial fermentation with new bioreactor platform