SunOpta Opens Texas Facility for Plant-Based Beverages
Minneapolis-based SunOpta announced the opening of its new plant-based beverage production facility in Midlothian, Texas. It totals 285,000 sq. ft., with the capacity to expand to 400,000 sq. ft. When fully expanded, the facility will be SunOpta's largest production facility for plant-based foods and beverages. It will mean up to 175 new jobs.
The new facility, which cost $125 million, will manufacture the company's entire suite of plant-based milks and creamers, along with tea and other products. Various package sizes and configurations will be produced, including 16-oz. and 32-oz. packages typically used in foodservice, shelf-stable retail and e-commerce for plant-based milk products, and 330ml packages used primarily in high-protein nutritional beverages.
The company said it’s invested nearly $200 million in its plant-based production capacity in the past three years in an effort to double its plant-based business by 2025.
Designed with sustainability objectives in mind, the new Midlothian plant will reduce carbon emissions, conserve water, efficiently utilize power and use recycled materials. It’s equipped with a water reuse system that can save up to 20 million gallons of water a year, an energy-efficient HVAC system that reduces energy consumption by 45%, LED lights and water heaters that reduce power usage by 95% -- plus offices and labs constructed with at least 40% recyclable materials.
SunOpta also has plants in California, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. In addition to being a contract manufacturer, SunOpta produces its own brands, including Dream and West Life nondairy milks acquired from Hain Celestial and its self-developed and Sown and Sunrise Growers products.
