Cargill upgrades sunflower plant for high-protein feed and biomass energy

Cargill is investing approximately $150 million to upgrade its sunflower processing facility in Saint-Nazaire, France, increasing production of high-protein sunflower meal and improving energy efficiency through biomass utilization.

The project supports the growing availability of sunflower crops in France and aims to strengthen regional supply chains for plant-based protein used in animal feed.

Processing upgrade for higher protein output
The upgraded facility will shift from producing lower-protein meal to high and super-high protein sunflower meal. This change is achieved through modifications in processing stages such as dehulling, oil extraction, and meal separation, enabling higher protein concentration in the final product.

Higher protein meal improves nutritional value in feed formulations, allowing substitution of imported protein sources such as soybean meal.

Integration with regional agricultural supply
The Saint-Nazaire site is located in a region with increasing sunflower cultivation. The upgrade provides a stable processing outlet for local farmers and supports collaboration with agricultural cooperatives.

By strengthening local processing capacity, the project reduces dependence on imported feed ingredients and improves supply chain resilience within Western Europe.

Biomass energy system and emission reduction
The investment includes installation of a biomass boiler using sunflower hulls as fuel. These hulls, a by-product of processing, are used to generate thermal energy for the site.

This system is expected to reduce natural gas consumption by more than 100 GWh annually and lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 20,000 metric tons per year. The use of process by-products as energy input supports circular resource utilization.

By-product valorization and external energy supply
Excess sunflower hulls will be processed into biomass pellets for external use, including supply to district heating systems. This extends the use of agricultural residues beyond the production site and contributes to local energy supply.

The approach increases overall resource efficiency by converting processing residues into usable energy products.

Project timeline and industrial impact
Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2026, with commissioning planned for March 2029. The site currently employs approximately 75 people, with additional jobs expected during and after project implementation.

The project is supported by national programs including ADEME and the France 2030 initiative, reflecting alignment with national objectives for industrial decarbonization and agricultural development.

The upgrade of the Saint-Nazaire facility demonstrates how process optimization and energy integration can enhance both production performance and sustainability in agricultural processing industries.

Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.

www.cargill.com