International commodities trader RCMA Group has announced a £25 million investment in a new sustainable rapeseed processing facility near Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.
The site represents the first large-scale rapeseed plant to be built in the UK since the 1980s, with RCMA responding to increasing demand for UK-sourced food ingredients.
Located at Atherstone on Stour, the plant will be operational by the autumn of this year to process an annual seed crush of 100,000 tonnes, produce 40,000 tonnes of refined edible rapeseed oil and 60,000 tonnes of rape cake for the animal feed sector. The business will process 100% UK-grown seed.
“This is a milestone in UK oilseed processing,” said RCMA Group chairman Doug King. “Not only are we adding the first brand-new large-scale rapeseed processing facility in the UK since the 1980s, we have commissioned a highly sustainable approach to processing, reflecting our commitment to a more environmentally-friendly industry.”
The design incorporates a biomass-fuelled combined heat and power plant enabling RCMA Stratford to generate its own internal energy requirements from UK forestry residues and offcuts.
The company hopes that locating the business alongside an established grain store will reduce the food miles associated with transporting raw materials into the facility and finished products to customers.
RCMA CEO Chris Pardey praised the team involved in the facility, stating: “It brings a huge amount of global experience to the Stratford project, coupled with really strong local market and product knowledge which will deliver exceptional value to our customers.”
The company is currently working in close partnership with farmers’ cooperative Camgrain, the grain store operator, to build relationships with UK seed growers.
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