Food tech company expands soybean processing ability


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Food tech company expands soybean processing ability

Food technology company Benson Hill is partnering with Rose Acre Farms to process its soybeans.

Benson Hill COO Chris Wilkins tells Brownfield having access to the Indiana based processing facility makes the supply chain more efficient and gives local farmers the chance to capitalize on price premiums.

“Bringing these companies together, it really allows us to expand our soybean processing capacity in Indiana, it builds out the supply chain like we’ve talked about and it’s getting our differentiated soybean oil and protein products really out there too,” he said.

Wilkins said the increased processing capacity will be needed as Benson Hill’s ‘ultra-high’ protein soybeans come to the market in 2021.

“It’s the first commercially available soybean that can effectively replace the soy protein concentrate via a typical soybean crush,” Wilkins said. “So, instead of having further processing we can come out of the crush with that 65 percent protein level.”

He said the high protein soybeans will allow food companies to eliminate energy and water intensive processing steps.  Wilkins said Benson Hill’s high protein soybean variety also provides growers a market outside of animal feed with plant-based proteins.

Benson Hill and Rose Acre Farms are currently enrolling growers for the 2021 growing season. So far, the companies have partnered with growers to produce more than 20,000 acres of the soybean variety next growing season.

Chris Wilkins Interview

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