Plantible launches first commercial facility in Texas to scale sustainable plant-based protein ingredients production
The Ranchito is expected to produce thousands of metric tons of biomass annually, yielding hundreds of metric tons of protein.
USA – Plantible, a pioneering biology company focused on sustainable food ingredients, has officially opened its first commercial facility in Eldorado, Texas, marking a major milestone in the evolution of plant-based protein production.
Known as “The Ranchito,” the site is now fully operational and entering an expansion phase, positioning Plantible to scale its flagship Rubi Protein and reshape the future of food.
The facility integrates advanced greenhouses, upgraded protein filtration systems, and a newly developed high-yield strain of Lemna, commonly known as water lentils.
Lemna is a nutrient-dense aquatic plant that requires no arable land, uses ten times less water than soy, and thrives in harsh environments with a rapid doubling rate of two to three days.
This makes it one of the most sustainable protein feedstocks available.
In 2023, Plantible introduced a duckweed-derived egg replacer for bakers, formulated by extracting RuBisCO protein from the Lemna plant.
Rubi Protein, derived from Lemna, is a neutral-tasting, allergen-free, complete protein with a PDCAAS score of one.
It offers functional benefits such as emulsifying, gelling, and binding, making it a versatile ingredient for food manufacturers seeking clean-label alternatives to synthetic binders like methylcellulose.
Plantible’s collaboration with ICL Group aims to integrate Rubi Protein into consumer products, further expanding its market reach.
Additionally, Plantible is continuing to optimise protein yield by screening hundreds of Lemna strains, with plans to introduce even higher-yield strains in the future.
The Ranchito is expected to produce thousands of metric tons of biomass annually, yielding hundreds of metric tons of protein.
This output could reduce nearly 8,000 metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions each year by replacing animal-based proteins and synthetic ingredients in food supply chains.
This commercial expansion is part of Plantible’s broader mission to reshape global food production by leveraging plant biology to create sustainable, nutritious food ingredients.
With expanded capacity and state-of-the-art filtration technology, Plantible has significantly lowered production costs while increasing throughput.
This positions the company for cash flow positivity and accelerates its mission to deliver scalable, sustainable protein solutions to the global food industry.
The Eldorado facility signals a bold step forward in transforming agri-food systems, moving beyond alternatives to true enhancements in nutrition, sustainability, and functionality.
Plantible’s efforts represent a shift away from traditional, resource-intensive food inputs toward innovative plant-based enhancements that address environmental impacts while meeting consumer demand for clean-label, functional protein ingredients.
Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
