Louis Dreyfus Company to build major sunflower and soy processing plant in Argentina

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has announced plans to build a new sunflower seed and soybean processing plant in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, in a move designed to expand its oilseed crushing capacity and support growing global demand for vegetable oils used in food and biofuel applications.

• LDC announced plans to build a new sunflower and soybean processing plant at its existing Bahía Blanca site in Argentina.
• The facility is expected to process up to 4,000 metric tons of sunflower seeds or soybeans per day and become one of the world's largest sunflower crushing plants.
• The plant was designed to operate using renewable biomass from sunflower husks to reduce energy consumption and operational emissions.

The new facility will be integrated with LDC’s existing storage, logistics and deep-water port infrastructure in Bahía Blanca, located in Buenos Aires Province. The company said the investment would strengthen its industrial footprint in one of Argentina’s key sunflower-producing regions while improving connections between local agricultural production and international markets.

LDC described the project as one of its largest investments in Argentina during the past decade and its first greenfield development in the country over the same period.

Michael Gelchie, LDC’s Group CEO, said the project reflected the strategic importance of Argentina within the company’s global operations. “This investment reflects Argentina’s role as a strategic market for LDC, combining a strong agricultural production base with industrial, logistics and export capabilities to connect local production with global markets,” said Gelchie.

“Representing one of the company’s largest investments in Argentina over the past decade, and its first greenfield development in that time, the expansion of our capabilities in Bahía Blanca reflects our long-term commitment to supporting the country’s agro-industrial development, including through investments that strengthen export competitiveness in Argentina and the region.”

According to LDC, the facility is expected to achieve a daily crushing capacity of up to 4,000 metric tons of either sunflower seeds or soybeans once operational. The company said the dual-crop capability would allow for year-round optimization of operations while providing greater flexibility in processing different oilseed crops.

Construction is expected to begin before the end of 2026.

Juan José Blanchard, LDC’s Group COO and Head of Latin America, said the investment reinforced the company's commitment to expanding its sunflower processing operations globally. “With this new development in Argentina, expanding our oilseeds processing capacity, we underline our long-term commitment to a region that is crucial to the growth of our global sunflower business,” said Blanchard.

“Expected to be one of the largest sunflower crushing plants globally, it reflects LDC’s commitment to continued investment in efficient, integrated and reliable industrial capabilities, strengthening our role as a trusted partner to both growers and downstream customers.”

The facility will include equipment designed specifically for oilseed processing, covering multiple stages of production including cleaning, dehulling, conditioning and flaking. LDC also plans to install high-capacity pressing systems alongside solvent extraction technology aimed at maximizing oil recovery efficiency.

Additional infrastructure will include dedicated seed reception areas and systems for loading processing by-products such as meals, pellets and oils. The company said enclosed conveyor systems would support continuous operations while helping to improve emissions control.

Automation is expected to play a significant role in the plant’s design. LDC reported that the site will feature advanced automated processes and integrated material-handling systems intended to improve operational efficiency.

A key aspect of the project is its energy infrastructure. The company said the facility will operate using thermal energy generated entirely from renewable biomass, specifically sunflower husks produced during processing. LDC stated that the approach is intended to optimize energy consumption while reducing operational carbon emissions.

The investment adds to a series of recent moves by the company aimed at expanding its oilseed processing capabilities. LDC noted that the new Bahía Blanca facility will complement its recently launched high-oil-content seed crushing line in Timbúes, Santa Fe Province, as well as the multiseed crushing and refining plant it acquired in Foktő, Hungary.

Argentina remains one of the world's largest producers and exporters of agricultural commodities, including soybeans and sunflower products. The country's established export infrastructure and access to international shipping routes have made it a major hub for oilseed processing and vegetable oil exports.

By locating the new facility alongside its existing logistics and port operations in Bahía Blanca, LDC aims to leverage existing infrastructure while increasing processing volumes for both domestic and export markets.

The company said the project would strengthen its ability to serve demand for vegetable oils across food manufacturing and biofuel sectors, while providing additional processing capacity for growers in the region.

Once completed, the facility is expected to become one of the largest sunflower seed crushing plants globally and a major addition to LDC’s oilseed processing network.