Sustainea and Primient to collaborate on $400 million U.S. Bio-MEG facility in Lafayette
Sustainea, an innovative company dedicated to manufacturing sustainable chemicals with a low-carbon footprint, is planning to invest $400 million in Lafayette, Indiana. In collaboration with local company Primient, who will supply corn-based dextrose precursors, Sustainea will convert this renewable feedstock into monoethylene glycol -- a key chemical intermediate used in everyday products from food containers to footwear.
Purdue University’s College of Engineering, particularly through the Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources (CISTAR) and Leading Energy-Transition Advances and Pathways to Sustainability (LEAPS) programs, is driving the transformation of Indiana and Lafayette into a leading hub for sustainable chemical and fuel production. By leveraging the region’s strengths -- renewable energy resources, smart energy distribution, carbon capture and sequestration technologies, and a thriving biomanufacturing landscape – the university is positioning Lafayette as a focal point for sustainable biomanufacturing in the Midwest. This ecosystem makes Indiana the ideal location for companies committed to building a sustainable future.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward in building one of the largest sustainability ventures globally,” Gustavo Sergi, Sustainea CEO, said in a release on Oct. 7. “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.”
Paul Moses, Greater Lafayette Commerce vice president for economic and workforce development, said that with a global emphasis growing on sustainability issues, “we have some significant advantages, including Purdue and its CISTAR and LEAPS programs, which Professor Fabio Ribeiro leads. The whole ag-bioscience sector holds great potential for our region and the state.”
“We look forward to partnering with Sustainea and other forward-thinking companies to advance innovations in renewable manufacturing and establish Lafayette as a model for sustainable industrial growth,” said Ribeiro.
Production is expected to start in 2028.