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Louis Dreyfus has announced the inauguration of a new R&D facility in the US, as the company makes its foray into the plant protein market. The R&D plant protein centre, which is located in San Francisco Bay, California, is part of the company's commitment "to help shape a strong and sustainable food system". Michael Gelchie, Louis Dreyfus CEO, said: “As part of our strategic growth plans to move further downstream and diversify revenue through more value-added products, we see an opportunity to participate in the rapidly-growing plant-based foods market through plant protein extraction and food and beverage application formulation, leveraging our existing origination and industrial capabilities”. Louis Dreyfus' chief strategy officer, Thomas Couteaudier, added: “Louis Dreyfus' Plant Proteins business aspires to be the partner of choice for food companies and innovative brands who wish to incorporate more sustainable proteins in their products. He continued: "We will enter the market with the first range of non-GMO plant protein isolates by the end of 2022, with an initial focus on North America, aiming ultimately to offer global customers a multipurpose portfolio of products and application solutions”. Manoj Kumar, Louis Dreyfus VP for plant proteins at Louis Dreyfus, said: “The facility inaugurated today is a critical foundation for the new business, supporting its R&D and commercial programme. It will serve as a laboratory and pilot plant to develop products, validate their technical and commercial value, and build know-how for future applications.”