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Published: Jun 08, 2026
The future plant will be among the largest sunflower seed processing plants in the world in terms of milling capacity, and will be the most efficient in the market in terms of energy use, based on renewable biomass.
Bahía Blanca, Argentina, June 8, 2026 – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) today announced a strategic investment in the construction of a new plant to process sunflower and soybean seeds at its existing facilities in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, integrating it with its storage, logistics, and deep-water port infrastructure.
This investment will expand LDC's industrial network in the country, strengthening oilseed processing capabilities in one of Argentina's most important sunflower-producing regions, to meet the growing global demand for vegetable oils for both food and biofuel production.
"This investment reflects Argentina's role as a strategic market for LDC, combining a strong agricultural production base with industrial, logistical, and export capabilities to connect local production with global markets," said Michael Gelchie, LDC Group CEO. "Representing one of the company's largest investments in the Argentine agribusiness sector in the last decade, as well as its first entirely new development built from scratch in that period, the expansion of our capabilities in Bahía Blanca reflects our long-term commitment to the country's agro-industrial development, through investments that strengthen export competitiveness in Argentina and the region."
Once completed, the new plant is expected to reach a daily milling capacity of up to 4,000 tons of sunflower or soybean seeds, contributing to year-round operational optimization, greater flexibility to process multiple crops, and enhanced connectivity with international markets for producers in the region. Construction is expected to begin towards the end of the year.
"With this new development in Argentina, which will expand our oilseed processing capacity, we reaffirm our long-term commitment to a region that is crucial for the growth of our global sunflower business," said Juan José Blanchard, Group COO and Head of Latin America for LDC. "It is expected to be one of the largest sunflower milling plants globally, reflecting LDC's commitment to continue investing in efficient, integrated, and reliable industrial capabilities that strengthen our role as a trusted partner for both producers and downstream customers."
The investment includes the installation of equipment specifically designed for efficient oilseed processing, including preparation systems for cleaning, dehulling, conditioning, and flaking, as well as high-capacity presses and high-efficiency solvent extraction technology. The plant will also feature an integrated area for seed reception and loading of processing by-products —meals, pellets, and oils—, as well as closed product transport systems designed for continuous operation and enhanced emission control.
The future plant will also feature advanced automation and integrated material handling systems, as well as high-efficiency thermal energy infrastructure based entirely on renewable biomass (sunflower hulls), with the aim of optimizing energy use and reducing carbon emissions from operations.
This investment further strengthens LDC's presence in the global sunflower market, complementing its new high-oilseed milling line in Timbúes, Santa Fe province, as well as its recently acquired multi-system milling and refining plant in Foktő, Hungary.
About Louis Dreyfus Company
Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural products, founded in 1851. We leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world, delivering the right products to the right place, at the right time – safely, reliably, and responsibly. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines (platforms): Cotton, Rice, Sugar, Coffee, Grains & Oilseeds, Juice, Global Markets, Food & Feed Solutions, and Shipping. We help feed and clothe some 500 million people every year by originating, processing, and transporting approximately 100 million tons of products. Louis Dreyfus Company is active in more than 100 countries, across six geographical regions, and employs more than 20,000 people worldwide.
For more information, visit www.ldc.com
Press Contact
For further press information, please contact: Luis Leyro | +54 9 11 4490 1669 | lleyro@nuevacom.com.ar or media@ldc.com
