ADM to close Bushnell soy protein plant as part of global streamlining

ADM has announced plans to streamline its soy protein production operations, ceasing activity at its facility in Bushnell, Illinois, while focusing resources on its recently recommissioned Decatur East plant and other facilities worldwide.

The move is part of a broader strategy to simplify ADM’s portfolio, improve efficiency, and enhance competitiveness by consolidating production into a more integrated global network. The company said the changes will allow it to maintain support for growing demand while strengthening profitability.

Ian Pinner, president of ADM’s Nutrition business, said the measures reflect the company’s wider operational strategy. “Across ADM, we continue to advance our portfolio optimization initiatives and operational excellence agenda, including cost management, enhanced productivity, targeted simplification, strategic growth and capital discipline,” he said. “Optimizing our soy protein production network is an example of how we’re strengthening our asset platform, combining capital discipline with smart organic innovation and operational improvements to increase cash flows and returns.”

ADM highlighted the strategic importance of its Decatur East facility, which recently resumed operations following recommissioning. By leveraging capacity and technology investments at Decatur and other locations, the company expects to improve efficiencies and increase operating profit over time.

“With our Decatur plant resuming operations, we expect operating profit to improve over time as we achieve manufacturing efficiencies and build back our Specialty Ingredients business,” Pinner said.

The Decatur site is part of ADM’s wider specialty ingredients portfolio, which supports applications across food, beverage, and nutrition markets. Its restart is expected to help the company sharpen its focus on innovative soy protein ingredients while consolidating production away from Bushnell.

As production winds down in Bushnell, ADM has pledged to manage the transition carefully, emphasizing respect for employees and continuity of service for customers.

“We are committed to a smooth, planned transition with any affected customers as we gradually wind down operations at our Bushnell facility, and look forward to serving them from our other invested assets,” Pinner said. “We are prioritizing treating any affected colleagues with respect as we advance this process.”

ADM did not provide a timeline for the Bushnell closure or details on how many employees would be impacted.

The closure is the latest in a series of portfolio optimization steps at ADM, as the company focuses on aligning its production assets with long-term growth opportunities and operational discipline.

The soy protein market has been expanding globally, driven by rising consumer interest in plant-based foods and alternative protein sources. ADM’s strategy appears designed to ensure the company can capture growth in demand while maintaining cost discipline and operational efficiency.

By consolidating production into fewer, larger, and more advanced facilities, ADM aims to sharpen its competitive position in the global protein market. The company framed the Bushnell closure as a difficult but necessary decision to achieve those goals.

ADM said it remains committed to serving its soy protein customers with “industry-leading innovative products,” underpinned by investments in manufacturing efficiencies and specialty ingredients. The recommissioning of Decatur East is expected to provide a platform for both stability and growth in the coming years.

With the global protein market continuing to evolve, ADM’s restructuring signals a focus on long-term competitiveness, combining streamlined operations with ongoing innovation in specialty and value-added ingredients.