Louis Dreyfus Company Inaugurates Specialty Feed Protein Production Line in Tianjin

Key Takeaways

• Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has inaugurated a new specialty feed protein production line in Tianjin, marking its first commercial-scale investment in this segment.
• The facility spans 11,000m² and will produce fermented soybean meal, with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons.
• The site utilizes synergistic fermentation technology developed by LDC’s Shanghai R&D Center, enhanced by AI-driven monitoring and analytics.
• The project supports LDC’s Food & Feed Solutions strategy to move further downstream and expand its value-added offerings.
• The specialty feed protein market in China is projected to grow at a 7% CAGR from 2026 to 2030, positioning LDC for long-term expansion in the sector.

LDC Expands Food & Feed Solutions with New Tianjin Facility

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has inaugurated a new specialty feed protein production line in Tianjin, China, as part of its ongoing strategy to move further downstream in the agri-food value chain. The investment strengthens LDC’s Food & Feed Solutions platform, which focuses on developing value-added products such as specialty feed ingredients.

Located adjacent to LDC’s existing oilseeds crushing plant, the new facility covers 11,000 square meters and will initially produce fermented soybean meal for the livestock and poultry industries. The site’s annual production capacity is set at 60,000 metric tons, supporting the company’s efforts to supply high-quality feed proteins tailored to animal health and nutrition.

Strategic Investment Strengthens LDC’s Commitment to China

“This development represents LDC’s first investment in a facility to produce specialty feed proteins on a commercial scale, and reflects our commitment to continued growth with China,” said James Zhou, LDC’s Head of Food & Feed Solutions and Chief Commercial Officer.

“In addition to supporting the growth of our Food & Feed Solutions Platform, the facility enables us to supply China’s livestock and poultry industry with high-quality specialty feed proteins that can contribute to enhanced animal health and productivity across species,” he added.

The launch underlines LDC’s intention to deepen its engagement in China’s feed and animal nutrition market, an area of increasing focus for both sustainability and food security objectives.

Fermentation and AI Technologies Drive Feed Protein Innovation

The Tianjin facility integrates synergistic fermentation technology developed by LDC’s Shanghai R&D Center, utilizing multiple probiotic strains to break down anti-nutritional factors in soybean meal. This process enhances protein content, digestibility, and palatability, resulting in a more efficient and beneficial feed product.

Rich in small-molecule organic acids, LDC’s fermented soybean meal is designed to support gut health and immunity in livestock and poultry, particularly during stress or illness.

The production process employs AI-powered data analytics for real-time monitoring and optimization of parameters such as temperature, humidity, and gas concentration. Predictive analytics enable proactive adjustments, ensuring consistent quality and operational efficiency.

Future Expansion and Market Outlook

According to Shengshu Huang, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Specialty Feed Ingredients for North Asia, the new facility is designed for scalability: “Leveraging LDC’s processing and innovation capabilities, this facility is designed for future expansion into a broader range of specialty feed ingredients that derive from a wider range of plant sources and cover more animal farming or aquaculture scenarios.”