Global grains trader Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) opened its new oilseed processing facility in the northern city of Tianjin as part of its expansion in the world’s top consumer of soybeans, the company said. Louis Dreyfus Company announced the opening of its new oilseeds processing plant, located in the Binhai New Area District of the Tianjin Free Trade Zone. With a daily soybean crushing capacity of 4,000 tons and a daily oil refining capacity of 1,200 tons, the plant will bolster LDC’s supply of soybean meal, crude soybean oil and refined edible vegetable oil to meet the needs of partners and consumers in China. The plant’s bottling, filling, packaging and storage facilities also prepare LDC to go downstream in the supply chain by introducing packed oil. The production line for refined oil commenced operations in June, with small-packaged edible oil production expected to begin at the end of the year. “We are delighted to announce the opening of the new plant, which enhances our soybean processing capabilities in China, a vital market for LDC, and will help us to respond to rapidly increasing demand for protein and safe, high-quality food products in the country,” said Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, Chairperson of Louis Dreyfus Holding B.V. In addition to the new facility, LDC will continue to look for investment and collaboration opportunities in Tianjin and other cities in the country as part of the company’s long-term plan to grow with China, the company said.