Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Sustainea Plans Lafayette, Indiana, Bio-MEG Operations

10/21/2024
Sustainea, a company focused on sustainable chemistry, plans to establish operations in Lafayette, Indiana. The project is expected to create 191 jobs.

The new facility in Lafayette will produce Bio-MEG from Primient’s dextrose – a carbohydrate derived from corn, providing a renewable chemical that is a key component in the manufacturing of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Production is scheduled to begin in 2028.

“This partnership marks a significant step forward in building one of the largest sustainability ventures globally,” said Gustavo Sergi, CEO of Sustainea. “Primient has proven to be a strategic partner and long-term ally, with notable operational synergies and shared values. The high energy efficiency and low-carbon dextrose produced at the Lafayette plant will uniquely position Sustainea’s products for both sustainability and competitiveness. This announcement greatly serves our customers who will benefit from decarbonizing an ever-growing PET market.”

Based on the company’s investment plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) will support the project by committing up to $6.9 million in incentive-based tax credits as well as up to $100,000 in training grants. These incentives are performance-based, enabling the company to claim state benefits once the investments are made.

“Indiana is a global agbiosciences leader, and we are excited to welcome Sustainea to our thriving ecosystem of growers, manufacturers and innovators,” noted Governor Eric Holcomb. “Today’s news not only marks a significant win for the growth of this future-focused sector in Indiana and globally, but it represents growing ties between Indiana and Brazil and creates new opportunities for our two regions to work together for the benefit of our economies and our people.”

Additionally, the city of Lafayette and Tippecanoe County are offering further incentives to support the project.

“The news that Sustainea is getting prepared to break ground in Lafayette as their first U.S. operation is exciting news for our Indiana row crop farmers,” added Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “Indiana corn farmers produce over 1 billion bushels of corn each year. Sustainea’s renewable and sustainable products will open a new market for Indiana producers, and we are grateful they chose our state to expand into the U.S.”

Sustainea is a joint venture between Brazil-based Braskem and Japan-based Sojitz. The company has numerous applications across various sectors, including textiles (apparel, footwear) and packaging (beverage bottles, food packaging).

Exclusive Research