NETHERLANDS – Global commodity trader and processing leader Bunge Ltd. celebrated the start of construction for its state-of-the-art sustainable production facility at the Port of Amsterdam with a significant first pile ceremony on December 8.

The event marked a significant milestone in the company’s dedication to sustainability and operational efficiency.

Scheduled for completion in 2025, the new plant will replace the Maasvlakte refinery in Rotterdam. This strategic move follows Bunge’s sale of the facility to Neste Corp. at the end of 2020. 

Furthermore, production from the company’s Wormerveer site will gradually shift to the Port of Amsterdam facility upon its completion.

Bunge Loders Croklaan, the plant-based lipids division of Bunge Ltd., announced an investment of over €300 million (US$346.5 million) for the construction of this state-of-the-art facility in the HoogTij industrial area of the Port of Amsterdam when the project was revealed in November 2021. 

The plant is expected to be a vital part of Bunge’s strategy to optimize assets in Europe, promoting increased operational flexibility and efficiency.

David Vandermeersch, Vice President of EMEA for Bunge, emphasized the facility’s commitment to the latest technological standards, ensuring a highly efficient and sustainable operation that is set to begin production in 2026. 

He outlined ambitious sustainability targets, stating, “We aim to achieve a 40% reduction in direct energy consumption and a CO2 reduction of 90% by 2030. I am extremely proud of the project team who worked diligently to get us to this important milestone and am thankful for the government agencies we have worked with in close partnership.

King’s Commissioner Arthur van Dijk attended the first pile ceremony and praised the new factory as a significant step towards a sustainable industry in the region. 

Van Dijk expressed his pride in the province of North Holland being chosen as the location, emphasizing the preservation of knowledge and innovation for the region. 

He further highlighted the positive impact on the province, noting that the old factory site on the Zaan would be put up for sale, transitioning from industrial to mixed-use property.

Van Dijk acknowledged the challenges involved in the transition to a sustainable and circular economy, emphasizing the need for cooperation, perseverance, courage, and trust. 

We all face the difficult task of transitioning to a sustainable and circular economy, and this new factory will play a crucial role in that endeavor,” he concluded.

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