Louis Dreyfus launches specialty feed protein facility in China
Developed through the company’s R&D Center in Shanghai, the Tianjin facility employs synergistic fermentation technology to break down anti-nutritional factors in soybean meal.
CHINA – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has inaugurated a new specialty feed protein production line in Tianjin, China, marking a major step in its strategy to move further downstream into value-added feed solutions.
The new facility, covering 11,000 square meters near LDC’s existing oilseeds crushing plant, will initially produce fermented soybean meal with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons.
The launch underscores LDC’s commitment to China’s expanding livestock and poultry industries, which are seeking more sustainable and efficient feed ingredients.
“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.
“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.”
Innovative fermentation and digital precision
Developed through the company’s R&D Center in Shanghai, the Tianjin facility employs synergistic fermentation technology that uses multiple probiotic strains to break down anti-nutritional factors in soybean meal.
The process increases protein digestibility and palatability while enriching the final product with small-molecule organic acids that promote gut health and support animal immunity.
The system integrates advanced data analytics for real-time monitoring of key production parameters like temperature, humidity, and gas concentration. Artificial intelligence tools also predict fermentation variations, enabling precise adjustments and consistent product quality.
According to LDC, the facility is designed for scalability, paving the way for the production of a wider range of specialty feed ingredients derived from various plant sources.
“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,” explained Shengshu Huang, LDC’s Chief Technology Officer and Head of Specialty Feed Ingredients for North Asia.
“This development will allow us to meet growing demand in China’s specialty feed protein market, projected to grow at a 7% compound annual growth rate from 2026 to 2030.”
Building on a string of feed innovation investments
The new protein production line follows another major investment by LDC in May 2025, when the company unveiled a state-of-the-art automated production line for specialty feed lecithin at the same Tianjin complex.
That facility, powered entirely by renewable electricity, produces enzymatically treated and low-viscosity lecithin; innovations that enhance nutrient absorption and simplify feed formulation.
Enzymatically treated lecithin improves the bioavailability of fat-soluble nutrients, boosting feed efficiency and reducing costs for livestock farmers.
Meanwhile, low-viscosity lecithin can be incorporated directly into feed without the need for intensive heating or specialized storage systems, offering operational flexibility to feed manufacturers.
Lecithin, primarily derived from soybeans, is an essential emulsifier and stabilizer in animal feeds. Its demand has surged alongside China’s growing consumption of pork, poultry, and aquaculture products, positioning LDC to serve a rapidly evolving market for functional feed ingredients.
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