Primient, a pioneering force in plant-based food and industrial ingredient manufacturing, has unveiled an ambitious investment exceeding $700 million across its operational landscape. Marked by the “Rooted in Renewal” event held at the historic A.E. Staley era administration building, fondly referred to as the “castle in the cornfields,” this comprehensive 5-year phased investment sets a new benchmark in the industry. It underscores Primient’s dedication to its corn milling heritage, its prominent market position, and its forward-looking vision for a more sustainable future.
This strategic investment initiative by Primient is already catalyzing purposeful modernization efforts across critical production assets and processes. These endeavors aim to ensure top-tier quality and unwavering reliability in production for decades ahead. Jim Stutelberg, CEO of Primient, emphasized, “The magnitude of investments—particularly in the Decatur operations—stands unparalleled in our industry, showcasing our ambition to be the preferred partner both now and in the future.”
While enhancing the Decatur site is pivotal for unlocking business potential, substantial planned investments extend to Primient’s wet milling operations in Lafayette, IN, and Loudon, TN. Here, ongoing operational and infrastructure upgrades are poised to bring about significant advancements in vital unit operations such as refining and drying.
Moreover, alongside this milestone investment, Primient distinguishes itself in the corn wet milling sector by committing to entirely phasing out coal and transitioning to more sustainable energy sources across all facilities. These strides serve as key differentiators as the company positions itself to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the bioeconomy.
As part of the expansion, Primient secured an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit, incentivizing job creation in Decatur.
The event witnessed the presence of elected officials and industry luminaries, collectively endorsing Primient’s vision and trajectory. Governor JB Pritzker expressed pride in joining Primient leadership as they unveiled a historic $400 million capital investment in their Decatur site, emphasizing the significance of Primient’s role as a market leader and community partner. Decatur Mayor Julie Wolfe Moore echoed this sentiment, highlighting Primient’s investment as a testament to its commitment to both community leadership and a shared future in the burgeoning bioeconomy.
